BRITAIN and France were still neck-and-neck last night in the race to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

Tony Blair and David Beckham were among the big hitters wheeled out to boost the British bid as the contenders made their final push ahead of today's final vote in Singapore.

The world's biggest sporting spectacle could generate hundreds of millions of pounds of investment that would regenerate large swathes of London.

Although officials said the momentum was with the UK bid, Madrid, Paris, New York and Moscow all spent yesterday promoting their case.

Ladbrokes cut the odds on London being awarded the games to 2/1 yesterday. Paris is still favourite at 1/2, with Madrid at 7/1, New York at 25/1 and Moscow at 50/1.

The decision from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the winning city is expected early this afternoon.

It will make the decision after final presentations from the competing cities.

As well as the Prime Minister and the England football team captain, a host of ex-Olympians are in Singapore to press Britain's claim.

Paralympic gold medalist Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, from Redcar, east Cleveland, and Gateshead's Jonathan Edwards are among the UK's sporting ambassadors.

Although many commentators still gave Paris a narrow lead, it seemed that derogatory comments about British food by French President Jacques Chirac may have harmed the Gallic cause.

The French President's tirade - he is reported to have said "We can't trust people who have such bad food" - has gone down badly with IOC members.

Mr Blair, accompanied by his wife, Cherie, and Mr Chirac were observed keeping their distance at a rooftop reception for royalty, Olympians and other dignitaries after the glittering opening ceremony for the IOC conference yesterday.