The two-year countdown to London 2012 began this week with Surrey firms having won 85 Games related contracts and the County Council in advanced talks with five national teams about basing themselves here.

It is estimated the Games will boost the South East economy by around £1billion through increased tourism and business opportunities which is why the County Council has been working hard to make sure Surrey benefits as much as possible.

Surrey companies have won 85 Games related contracts so far which is the highest number of any county in the South East. These contracts include construction work at the Olympic stadium, security at the aquatic centre and roofing work at the velodrome.

Surrey has 25 pre-games training sites and the council is in advanced talks with five countries about basing themselves in the county before and during competition. Each Olympic and Paralympic organising committee has £25,000 to spend on their training for the 2012 Games which will benefit the local economy if they choose to train in the county.

Denise Saliagopoulos, the county council's cabinet member for community services, the 2012 Games and tourism, said: "The Olympic and Paralympic Games are a golden opportunity and we are working extremely hard so Surrey can make the most of the economic and cultural benefits available. We have been wooing Olympic and Paralympic committees throughout the world to encourage them to base their teams here during the Games and we are in advanced talks with a number of countries.

"I'm delighted that so many Surrey businesses have won Games related contracts already but there is a lot more opportunity to come. Hundreds of thousands of people will flock to the South East during the Olympics and Paralympics so the tourism and accommodation opportunities are huge, especially with Surrey’s proximity to Heathrow and Gatwick airports and our fantastic transport links to London."

Surrey County Council has been promoting a series of free Business Link workshops which show local companies how to win Olympic related contracts and more events will be held over the coming months. The council has also launched the website www.surrey2012.info which is a hub of information for businesses, tourists and residents wanting to benefit from the Games.