Sailing town's joy at Olympic win

The champagne flowed following the announcement

A Dorset town is celebrating the news it will host the 2012 Olympic sailing events after London's successful bid.

The £7.85m purpose-built Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy in Dorset was officially opened in June.

A spokeswoman for the local borough council said they were "truly thrilled" with the success.

John Tweed, of the academy, said: "We have just built a world class sailing centre to play our part in some of the best Olympic Games ever."

I really couldn't believe my ears when they said London, I'm so emotional Councillor Lynne Herbert

Joe Glanfield, silver medal winner in the 470 sailing at the Olympics in Athens, said he has trained in Weymouth since he was a boy.

"The opportunity to compete in the Olympics in your own country is an amazing opportunity for all the sailors and hopefully if the British sailing team carry on with what they started in Athens then they should get some pretty good results in Weymouth."

The 25-year-old from Exmouth in Devon added: "All the sailing events will be held in Weymouth which is going to be unbelievable.

"Not only is it a good thing for the British team but also other nationals will be coming here to train over the next seven years so it will be excellent for the local economy."

'Positive effect'

London beat Paris in the final International Olympic Committee vote in Singapore after Moscow, New York and Madrid were eliminated earlier.

Councillor Lynne Herbert, of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said: "I really couldn't believe my ears when they said London, I'm so emotional.

"It will have a fantastically positive effect on the borough, trigger substantial and lasting economic gains and will leave a fabulous legacy."

Councillor Robert Gould, leader of West Dorset District Council, added: "Exciting times are ahead. The games should have a huge impact, giving world-wide exposure for the area, supporting tourism and boosting the local economy."

It will be the first time that the Olympic Games have been held in Britain since 1948.