HAVERING business leaders and sporting legends have thrown their support behind a unique campaign to put the borough firmly on the 2012 Olympic map.

Former British Olympic javelin-thrower Fatima Whitbread joined local dignitaries at the launch of Visit Havering this month, a new campaign aimed at making the borough a key Olympic destination.

The campaign – so far backed by Harefield Manor Hotel, the Romford Recorder, McDonalds, Havering Council and Lloyds TSB – hopes to set up Olympic training grounds to the borough.

Paul Harris, of Harefield Manor Hotel, Main Road, Romford, which hosted the event, has now urged other local businesses to get on board.

He said: “This is one event in a lifetime. There’s going to be thousands of people coming over from all over the world.

“We want to promote the borough. We have the facilities, we’ve just got to promote ourselves.”

For details head to: www.visithavering.