MILLIONS has been pumped into Oxfordshire firms through contracts for the London Olympics, organisers have revealed.

Some 57 county firms have won contracts to ensure the summer games run smoothly.

The work, ranging from bus travel to landscaping, has boosted profits and jobs.

Olympic bosses also said a host of community projects have benefited the county.

Telecommunications firm STC got the contract to provide phone systems for the opening and closing ceremonies.

Managing director Brendon Cross said: “As a piece of business it is a nice contract to have.

“But the most important thing is the profile it brings.”

The Witney firm has since picked up more public sector work, he said, boosting profits and the workforce from 33 to 36.

Mr Cross said: “It is a result of the profile associated with the Games.”

Other firms set to benefit are Bicester’s Heyfordian Travel – to provide buses between venues.

Abingdon’s White Horse Contractors has carried out major landscaping work around the athletes’ village and cycling velodrome.

Managing director of the Lodge Hill firm Steve Greene said: “It is the largest project we have ever carried out in financial terms.

“It was hugely important, it is one of those very rare flagship projects. It has put us on the world stage.”

The firm has 80 to 100 staff, but brought in extra help, meaning up to 200 were working on the project at one time.

Oxford Archaeology, based at Osney Mead, also surveyed part of the site, while Oxford’s BSG Ecology did work at the Olympic Park.

Olympic organisers also said 191 county schools have Games tickets after taking part in Get Set, the official London 2012 education programme.

Among them is Thame’s John Hampden Primary School, which will join 249 other schools to form a “guard of honour” at the July 27 opening ceremony.

Organisers have also recognised projects celebrating the Olympics with “Inspire” marks.

These include the Sport England-funded “In It Together” project in West Oxfordshire, which ran sport sessions for young people with learning disabilities. An Oxford project to take the bowls-style sport of boccia to schools and clubs was also honoured by organisers.

County celebrations will culminate with a free event for 20,000 people in South Park, Oxford, on Monday, July 9, when the Olympic Torch comes to the city.

The event will feature live music and a “Tree of Light” song and dance show with 850 performers.

Free tickets are only for people with an Oxfordshire postcode from the Ticketmaster website or 0844 844 0444.

Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce president Nigel Wild said: “There is a great breadth of companies in the county and it is pleasing to see that people have gone out for this work and won.”