OLYMPIAN Steve Cram and Paralympian Stephen Miller yesterday helped more than 50 firms celebrate winning deals for next year’s London games.

The North-East firms attending an event in County Durham yesterday won more than £70m of Olympics contracts between them.

The Breakfast of Champions, at Seaham Hall, brought together North-East companies working in construction, retail, transport, communications, professional services, law, clothing and others.

Also attending were Mr Cram, who won silver in Los Angeles in 1984, and Mr Miller, who has competed in four Paralympic Games, winning three golds and a silver.

The event was organised by the Business and Enterprise Group that operates the Compete North-East service, which worked with the firms to help them win contracts.

Mr Cram and Nicki Clark, of Business and Enterprise Group, were among speakers at the event.

Ms Clark said: “London 2012 offers a number of opportunities for businesses in our region and it is fantastic that so many have seized the chance to bid.

“More than £70m worth of contracts is a significant achievement and will have a dramatic impact on the businesses involved as well as a positive impact on the region as a whole.”

Mr Cram said: “The North-East has much to gain from the Olympics.

London 2012 isn’t just about the capital city. It will benefit the whole of the country, providing opportunities for businesses to get involved.”