TODAY marks one year to go until the London 2012 Olympic Games and people from across the United Kingdom are celebrating.

An iconic image of Portland Bill has been created in honour of the milestone – using a ‘1 Year to Go’ banner signed by more than 400 local schoolchildren and borough representatives.

Mayor of Portland, Councillor Ian Munro Price and the deputy Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, Councillor Margaret Leicester signed the banner next to goodwill messages from youngsters attending a secondary college day at Weymouth College.

The banner was hoisted up the lighthouse to mark the countdown to the opening ceremony the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, during which the borough will host the sailing events. Preparations for the Games are on track and next week’s test event will see the world’s best sailors and windsurfers competing for glory on the borough’s 2012 waters.

Former Weymouth schoolgirl and Beijing bronze medallist Bryony Shaw said: “For me this is my peak regatta of the year, obviously Sail for Gold was important to be part of the pre-Olympic teams but our long term focus has been building up to this event.

“I’m hoping the London Organising Committee (LOCOG) will put on a really good host and make the venue seem special.

“We’ll be set out in countries rather than different boats so we’ll have real team spirit like we did in China.”

Deputy borough mayor Coun Leicester described the hoisting of the banner on Portland Bill as ‘quite an experience’, made tricky by winds in the wrong direction – but the shot proved a success in the end.

She said: “It’s a year to go and I think people will get more excited in time.

“There’s been so much aggravation with the roadworks that people have been quite negative but that’s settled down and is working.

“Portland’s a little apprehensive about what it means for us but when Sail for Gold is on, which was much larger than the Olympics as far as competitors were concerned, it didn’t impact the roads at all.

“When it comes to renting out properties and doing bed and breakfast, there’s a lot of sidelines going on that weren’t available to people before.”

“A lot of the Olympic and Paralympic competitors are based around Castletown and Victoria Square, they’re eating in local pubs, mixing with local people and it is having quite a good impact locally. It’s doing away with any aggravation people might have felt towards it now they’re making friends with people.

“It’s certainly going to be an exciting event.”

• FIVE thousand free colourful stickers declaring ‘Bring on the Games’ are available across the borough.

Residents and visitors to the resort are being urged to show support for the 2012 Games with the special window sticker for cars, boats and properties.

The Dorset Echo has joined up with Team 2012 and Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce to launch the first batch of stickers to celebrate the one year to go Olympic and Paralympic countdown.

The borough sticker has the official approval from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and the International Olympic Committee.

Dorset Echo editor Toby Granville said that the Echo was proud to be part of the initiative.

Mr Granville said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the town to get behind the Games.

“It’s going to be the greatest show on Earth so we should do everything we can to embrace it so get your free Bring on the Games sticker from your local newsagent and Echo offices and put it in your window with pride.”

President of the borough Chamber of Commerce Andy Cooke said: “It’s a great team effort and something we’ve always thought in the chamber would be a good thing to do.

“It’s good to work with the Dorset Echo and borough council, working towards what’s going to be a great year.

“Come on board, be excited, be part of it.”

Councillor Howard Legg, spokesman for special projects including the Olympics, added: “We’ve got one of the best Team GB events – sailing – and this is a piece of it.

“It’s great it’s coming here and people should volunteer and show their enthusiasm.

“This is unique, we’ll never get it again.”

Sticker stockists include the Dorset Echo head office in Weymouth, council offices in Dorchester and Weymouth, Weymouth Tourist Information Centre, plus newsagents across the borough including Abbotsbury Road post office, Londis Westham Road,WH Smiths, Superdrug, News & Chews, Queen of Hearts, Rock & Fudge, Castletown Stores, Portland, Chesil Beach Filling Station, Martins at Easton, and Eastville Stores.