Plan for Olympic screen for city

The screen to be above the entrance to the Chapelfield centre

Norwich could be getting a permanent big screen to show the 2012 Olympics and other live events.

The Norwich City Council plan is for the screen to be above the entrance to the Chapelfield shopping centre.

It would show events from the Olympics 16 hours a day. The BBC has been working on the scheme with the council.

The council will discuss the idea next month. It would be the only big screen in the East of England and might also be used to show local events.

This could include the Norfolk and Norwich Festival and the annual Christmas lights switch-on.

It is the only city in the eastern region to be invited to host a large public screen by the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG).

The formal plans have now been submitted for a screen to be installed above the entrance to Chapelfield shopping centre at Chapelfield Plain.

Not only would it show the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, but it will be the focus for a celebration marking the handover ceremony at the close of the Beijing Olympic Games on Sunday 24 August and be a permanent feature in the city.

Norwich City Council has been working with the BBC and LOCOG to find a suitable site and Chapelfield Plain has been chosen after much deliberation.

The project is subject to planning permission and a period of consultation will take place before the city council's planning committee meet next month to discuss the proposals.