An ICM poll for the Guardian has found that 74 per cent of British people want London to host the 2012 Olympics.

But when asked if the bid would be successful, more than half of those surveyed, 52 per cent, said they felt that the city has no chance of winning.

Fourteen members of the IOC's evaluation commission arrive in London today for a four day visit.

As 2012 banners were raised in the Mall, in central London, Tessa Jowell, the culture secretary, was in the West Midlands to rally support.