DOZENS of Huddersfield firms are among 600 companies across Yorkshire going for gold.

The businesses were attending the launch of the Yorkshire Gold Business Club today , as the first step to bidding for 250,000 lucrative contracts still remaining for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

The Yorkshire Gold Business Club was launched at York racecourse by Richard Caborn, who was joined by Olympic gold medal winning kayaker, Tim Brabants and Danielle Brown, Paralympics archery gold medallist.

Mr Caborn, who is Labour MP for Sheffield Central, said: “There is a significant amount of business to go for in relation to London 2012.

“It’s important that businesses in our region realise that this represents a very real opportunity – either individually or through collaboration with others.

“Our region boasts an impressive range of world class skills that are ideally suited to the kind of contracts London 2012 is looking to award and the Yorkshire Gold Business Club will provide the gateway to ensuring businesses are in the best possible shape to secure these.”

The club, backed by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, will help small and medium-sized firms to identify, negotiate and secure contracts for the Olympics.

Total contracts amounting to some £9.3bn have been identified by the Olympic Development Authority.

Companies in the Yorkshire region have an equal opportunity to compete for and win related contracts against world class competition.

Businesses joining the Yorkshire Gold Business Club as gold, silver or bronze members will be able to take advantage of a wide range of benefits, including help to identify and bid for contracts that match skills and expertise.

They will also have exclusive use of offices at London’s Canary Wharf, also home of the ODA and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games.

And they will get an inside track on opportunities by being invited to key networking events.

Yorkshire Forward director of business Simon Hill said: “The Yorkshire Gold Business Club represents an exciting channel for the region’s businesses to enable them to benefit from the unique opportunity that the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games represent.”

For more information on the Yorkshire Gold Business Club, visit www.ygbc.co.uk or call 0114 2015730.