WORCESTERSHIRE companies are being urged to get into training and raise their game in the race to secure a slice of £30bn worth of contracts that will stem from the London 2012 Olympics.

An online "dating agency" for Worcestershire businesses - named CompeteFor - has been launched by Paul Deighton, the man heading-up the London 2012 Games, and will give registered companies of all sizes and across all sectors, the chance to access top-tier and lower-tier contracts from the Olympics.

The free service is being funded by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and will also allow smaller businesses to join forces and bid for larger contracts which might otherwise be out of their reach.

The on-line service can be accessed via www.london2012.com/business and is also being supported by the West Midlands Leadership Group for the London 2012 Games, which was set up to ensure the region takes advantage of the Olympic opportunities.

All London 2012 contracts will be posted on the CompeteFor opportunities page while the Olympic Delivery Authority and London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games will encourage all businesses in their supply chains to post their Games-related opportunities here too.

Business Link West Midlands is already preparing the companies for the CompeteFor process, getting them ready to bid for the contracts through a series of Olympic Opportunities Workshops.

Richard Hyde, Advantage West Midlands deputy chairman, said: "The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are now starting to offer a new and unprecedented opportunity for Worcestershire to supply the event with goods and services.

"In world terms, Britain is a tiny country, and the West Midlands is one of the regions closest to London.

"CompeteFor now offers an easy, free-of-charge system for West Midlands firms to identify and bid for these contracts.

"I would urge companies - no matter what type and no matter what size - to register so we can all make sure that Worcestershire gets its fair share from the London 2012 games.

"The business is there to be won, the system is in place for companies in this part of the world to compete - now it is time for Worcestershire to show its mettle and take advantage of what is a once in a lifetime opportunity."