A group of companies from the northwest have visited the Olympic Park in order to see first-hand how the 2012 games could benefit them directly.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) took the companies - which included Secru4u of Macclesfield and Concept Signs & Displays of Crewe - to the site to gain insights into the type of contracts that could be provided and which they could go for.

NWDA spokesperson Vanda Murray said the 2012 Olympics represent "significant" business potential for companies from the northwest.

"We're working hard to ensure our businesses are equipped to compete for a slice of the action," she added.

Some 70 firms in the region have already won contracts related to the Olympics.

In March, plans were announced to build a new state-of-the-art sports venue in Blackburn on the site of Witton Park.

According to the Lancashire Telegraph, this could result in more high-profile sporting events coming to the northwest.