SIXTEEN companies from the North-East have won contracts for the 2012 Olympics, with many more winning work in the supply chain, it was revealed last night.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) made the announcement yesterday about the contracts, worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, and urged companies to bid for more than £1bn-worth of work that is yet to be assigned.

Among the companies winning business is Hathaway Roofing, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, which has won a deal for the manufacture and installation of the roof and wall-cladding system for the International Broadcast Centre at the Olympic Park.

Work started in August and about 40 Hathaway workers are on site.

Kevin Hall, managing director of Hathaway, said the deal is a fantastic opportunity for the firm.

Many more companies from across the region have been supplying the ODA’s contractors through the supply chain, including Sotech Ltd from Peterlee, which is supplying gutters and roof cladding edges for the Aquatics Centre, and Hanson Building Products of Washington, Wearside, which won a contract to supply pre-cast concrete slabs for the bridges and highways within the Olympic Park.

Initiatives such as Compete North-East – a “dating agency” run in conjunction with Business Link to match businesses with London 2012- related opportunities – have been set up to help the region’s businesses bid for work.

In February this year, ODA chairman John Armitt and a procurement team met with more than 1,000 companies from the North-East as part of a two-day visit to the region.

More than 30 regional business representatives are visiting the Olympic Park this week to meet ODA officials and its contractors to find out more about work opportunities.

Mr Armitt said: “Companies from the North-East are already winning gold from London 2012. Businesses of all sizes and from every sector are working together to deliver the largest project this country has seen for generations.

Direct contracts are the tip of the iceberg and there are still golden opportunities up for grabs through the UKwide supply chains.”

Stacy Hall, director of communications and tourism at regional development agency One North East, said: “It’s encouraging to see an increase in North-East businesses winning contracts to supply the London 2012 Games, standing testament to the quality of skills which are found here in the region.”

■ To find out more about London 2012 opportunities, visit competenortheast.co.uk