THE North-East sent a message of support for London's 2012 Olympic bid yesterday.

Tim Cantle-Jones, One NorthEast board member, handed over a London 2012 flag to GNER at Newcastle Central Station.

GNER is transporting the flag to the capital in a train which has been named London 2012. It will then be flown to Singapore, where the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will be making its announcement on the successful city, on Wednesday.

The flag has been signed by hundreds of supporters within the region.

Across the UK, about three million people have registered their support for the bid, either by logging on to the London 2012 website - www.london2012.com - by texting, by ringing a hotline or by registering in person at promotional events.

Mr Cantle-Jones said: "The games will provide an opportunity to extend a welcome to worldwide tourists and sports people alike who will be coming to see our fantastic sports facilities, historic sites, stunning landscapes and diverse cultural and tourism attractions.

"This provides a unique platform to promote the North-East as a top-class tourist destination, with its many historic sites, stunning landscapes and diverse cultural and tourism attractions."

London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe said: "It's great to have this signed flag accompanying us as a symbol of the North-East's support."

Newcastle's St James' Park is one of six venues outside the capital that has been earmarked to stage the Olympic football tournament.

One NorthEast is leading the region's support for the London bid. Others backing the bid include Sport England, Culture North-East, Government Office North East, the North-East Assembly, the Association of North-East Councils and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. People across the region are being urged to back the bid. To find out how to get involved, visit www.onenortheast.co.uk