KENT firms are set to strike gold in the seven year run-up to the 2012 Olympic Games in London

Business and council leaders said the decision would give a massive boost to local industry, commerce and tourism.

Sandra Matthews-Marsh, chief executive of Kent Tourism Alliance, said: "It’s the biggest thing that’s happened to tourism in Kent in the last 100 years."

Early forecasts suggest that the Games will be worth many millions of pounds to the Kent economy.

Employment is set to rise, with an estimated 30,000 temporary jobs being created in Kent.

The county will also be called upon to provide around 10,000 volunteers.

Businesses in the right sectors will be able to compete for contracts.

Tourism is set to benefit, with a million more visitors expected in 2012 than in a typical year.

The effects are expected to last long after the two-week sporting fiesta, with Kent becoming more recognised worldwide as a tourist destination.

Ms Matthews-Marsh said it was fantastic news.

"It’s the biggest opportunity and we’ve got to make the most of it. We will be forming a tourism group to look at the opportunities for 2012."

But she admitted that there were not enough hotel beds in the county and called on hotel groups to start thinking about buildling new outlets in Kent.

There would also be opportunities for Games’ visitors to come by cruise ship to Dover.

"There are endless opportunities and it’s very exciting."

Cllr Alex King, Cabinet member for Regeneration, said it was a "golden moment" for the county.

"This is an opportunity to really promote Kent as the place where people want to be if they come to the Games."

New Hitachi domestic Bullet trains are due to be in service by 2009. They will connect Ebbsfleet town centre to London St Pancras in 17 minutes, passing through Stratford and the planned Olympic Park.

Kent’s "window of opportunity" was now fully open, Cllr King said. The Games and other developments would help to raise skills levels and improve the county’s economic performance.

KCC is expected to ask consultants to look in more detail at the likely benefits of the Games.

Officials are already talking about the possibility of new sporting venues, training and preparation areas, and athlete villages.

Malcolm Hyde, the CBI’s south east regional director, based in Sevenoaks, welcomed the decision, saying it was great news for Kent businesses.

"No doubt there will be a ripple effect coming out of London and I’m sure that will have positive ramifications for Kent firms," he said.

Meanwhile, sport is set to rise up the agenda in Kent following the success of London’s Olympic bid.

Cllr King said more sporting participation was vital for our young people and the Games would encourage more to take part.

KCC would look a the county’s sporting provision and he was certain that the county would have more venues by 2012. "That has to be one of our goals," he said.

Ian Lindsay, deputy chief executive at Kent Thameside Delivery Board, said: "As a central agency in the transformation of the Thames Gateway, we are thrilled at the decision to bring the Olympics to London in 2012.

"We will continue to work in a strong spirit of partnership, as Lord Coe’s team has done, to ensure Kent Thameside benefits from and contributes to all the opportunities this historic decision will bring.

"The 22 square miles in Kent Thameside are currently being redeveloped for the benefit of their existing and future communities.

"In 2012, we will be able to offer a selection of residential and sports accommodation and open space for Olympic training purposes in an ideal location for the games."

Pam Alexander, chief executive of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), said: "This is terrific news. It is an incredibly exciting time for sport in this country and in the South East."

New facilities, investment and tourism would bring huge benefits to everyone, she added.