EAST Lancashire companies have struck gold at the London 2012 Olympics – with contracts worth more than £10million.

Twelve companies across the region have excelled in their own specialisms, including lighting, merchandising, line painting, equipment hire and manufacturing.

Business leaders said the news, which has been revealed after many firms were sworn to secrecy in the run up to the games, showed the number of ‘world class’ companies that were based in the area.

ACDC Lighting has proven to be a beacon for success, lighting the bridges leading to the stunning Olympic Stadium.

The Barrowford-based company worked with London-based design studio Jason Bruges, who designed the lighting installation throughout the Olympic Village.

Gareth Frankland, chief executive, said being chosen to take part in the games had been a great honour.

He said: “We are delighted to be involved in a national event which gets global recognition.

“There are a mixture of pedestrian and rail bridges and the light has been provided to light the entire hand rails and the bridges.

“We have also installed two part installations which are lit at night to create a focus point, and directional lighting on the bridges.”

Specialist engineers from the firm, which employs around 100 people, travelled to London for the installation, but had to keep the work under wraps until after the opening.

MDA, based at Waterfall Mill in Queen Victoria Street, Blackburn, also landed big contracts, providing branding for official Olympic sponsors Coca Cola and Kraft during the torch relay and actual games.

Ashley Hepper, sales and marketing manager of the 187-strong company, said: “We have distributed the sporting merchandise such as glassware and point of sale stands. And we have helped with merchandise distribution in the Olympic Park.

“It has been a challenge, but it is also a great experience. Hopefully this will be our best year so far.”

Sound System manufacturers AMS Neve, in Burnley, said its equipment, which was already in situ at Abbey Road Studios and Ayre Studios in London, had been used to record all 201 national anthems to be played throughout the games.

David Walton, distribution manager, said: “When people hear the national anthems being played when the medals are being awarded, it’s like a little piece of Burnley at the Olympics.”

And visitors taking a look around the majority of the Olympic venues will see the work of Linemark UK, from Rawtenstall.

Aaron Diggle, co-director, said: “We have done a lot of the logo work around the games areas on the carpets and grassed areas, public areas and games areas.

“It was an opportunity for the company to get involved in the Olympics.”

Mr Diggle added that the company would also be heavily involved in helping with the closing ceremony, although he could not reveal more.

Adlington Welding, in Chorley, provided welding equipment to construction workers constructing the Olympic Village.

Nigel Turner, managing director, said: “It’s an honour to be able to say we supplied welding equipment to the site. Our equipment was on site from the very beginning until the very end.”

Protec Fire Detection Plc in Nelson has been involved with fire detection within the Athletes Village, Aquatics Centre and Olympic Stadium.

R U Comfy, based in Blackburn, have provided 8,400 lime green beanbag chairs to the athletes at the Olympic Village.

And Sports equipment company, Gymnova, based in Pendle, have supplied gymnastic equipment to be used in competition and training by the world’s top gymnasts at the 2012 games.

Potentially millions of TV viewers will see competitors performing on Gymnova equipment including rings and mats at the O2 Arena and Wembley, two of the venues for the sport.

The company is a tier 3 sponsor of the 2012 games, on a par with corporate giants like Next and John Lewis.

Coach Hire Booking, based in Accrington, has secured a lucrative contract to provide nationwide transport services to Olympic venues throughout the UK outside of London for athletes, judges and press.

And Hope Technology in Barnoldswick, which provide lightweight, high end cycle parts, are supplying cycling competitors during the games.

Science in Sports in Nelson are the official supplier of sports drinks and sports nutrition of the GB Rowing Team While Balmers Garden Machinery in Burnley supplied the tractors to the construction workers involved in creating the equestrian course.

Mike Damms, chief executive of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We have done a whole range of contracts for the Olympic Games. East Lancashire has had a real involvement and has a number of world class companies who are major providers of the Olympics.

“These companies ability to manage major contracts such as the Olympics will help them secure more business in the future. ”

Other East Lancashire businesses with London 2012 contracts

  • Coach Hire Booking, Accrington - provided Olympic taxi service outside of London for athletes and officials
  •  Protec Fire Detection Plc, Nelson - smoke detection within the Aquatics Centre, Olympic Stadium and Athletes Village
  •  Gymnova, Pendle - provided the gymnastic equipment at the O2 Arena, and Wembley Stadium
  • Linemark UK, Rawtenstall - painted Olympic 2012 logos on public and sports areas
  • Science in Sport, Nelson - official supplier of sports drinks and sports nutrition to the GB rowing team
  •  Balmers Garden Machinery, Burnley - supplied tractors to contractors working on the equestrian site
  •  Adlington Welding, Chorley - provided welding equipment for the construction of the stadia
  •  Hope Technology, Barnoldswick - supplied bike parts used by athletes