MORE than 20 organisations have joined forces in Dorset to orchestrate the smooth running of the sailing competition and associated events for the London 2012 Games.

A series of working groups in the county, collectively known as the Weymouth and Portland 2012 Operations Group, have the responsibilities of transport, visitors, culture, health and safety, communications, safety and security and volunteering.

Key contacts bring insight to their activities through the Dorset Echo and online at dorsetforyou.com/sailing2012.

Here’s Duncan Flint, who is responsible for public relations for the local operations team.

WITH only 134 days to go to the opening of the London 2012 Games the scale of what will be on offer to visitors and residents here in Weymouth and Portland is really taking shape.

If you are one of the lucky ones who managed to get a ticket then you will be looking forward to watching the Olympic sailing from the Nothe; for those who didn’t manage to get a ticket we have some great news. Having secured central government funding, the Weymouth and Portland 2012 Operations team will be laying on a spectacular on Weymouth beach for all to enjoy.

Weymouth and Portland Live will have the capacity to entertain up to 15,000 visitors at any one time broadcasting live BBC sport coverage of the 2012 Olympic Games on two giant screens.

The site will also be the focal point for the region’s cultural events.

Just next to Weymouth and Portland Live will be a giant craft and entertainment fair called Weymouth Bayside Festival (<&bh"http://www.weymouthbaysidefestival.co.uk">weymouth baysidefestival.co.uk<&eh>) occupying the outstanding waterfront area in the South West corner of Weymouth Bay.

The site occupies 13,300sq/m of prime waterfront land adjacent to Weymouth Pavilion, in the heart of the town offering food, entertainment, exhibitions, crafts and thrills. The festival will be open daily from July 27 to August 12.

Just next to the festival on the tip of the Pavilion peninsula will be the new Observation Tower which will be up and running, offering spectacular views over Weymouth bay with the backdrop of the Jurassic coast.

Of course the coast will be the focal point for many of the region’s cultural events, branded the Maritime Mix – the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad by the sea (maritimemix2012.co.uk).

Animating Weymouth, Portland and the Jurassic Coast this unique creative celebration will deliver a once in a lifetime experience; celebrating the location as the largest Olympic venue outside the capital.

Maritime Mix – London 2012 Cultural Olympiad by the Sea will deliver the complete Olympic experience with over 80 inspirational events running from March to September.

If you would like to find out about any of these events come along to one of our free drop-in events at Dorchester, Dorford Centre on March 26, Weymouth Pavilion on March 29 or Portland Community 2000 Centre on March 30.

Each drop-in will run from noon to 4.30pm and then again from 5pm to 7.30pm.