A Norfolk coach company is celebrating after securing the prestigious contract to supply transport services for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Diss-based Simonds of Botesdale coaches could be providing up to 10 coaches for Olympic officials and athletes during the Games, which will run from the end of July until early September, although specific details of the contract are yet to be confirmed.

The firm's operations manager, Carl Lummis said: 'Simonds are delighted that after a rigorous selection process we were successful to be chosen to provide the transport for the 2012 Olympics.

'We are pleased the efforts of our staff involved in this process have been recognised and are delighted that we can represent the area in this historic occasion.'

In total, businesses in the eastern region have secured more than 400 contracts worth more than �1bn for London 2012, including the concrete for the construction of the Aquatics Centre and signs around the Olympic Park in Stratford.

Simonds coaches, in Oak Drive, started 85 years ago and has grown into a business running 50 coaches in the Diss area.

Mr Lummis, 44, said the firm operated a range of services, including local bus services, private hire for school runs and had its own holiday programme where customers can book excursions to the UK and continental Europe.

He added: 'In the current economic climate we can only be pleased with how things are going because we are recruiting. We are still taking on staff when other companies are laying people off.'

He was also optimistic and positive the Games would give the country a timely boost.

The coach firm does not yet know the specifics of the contract, but it is set to run throughout the duration of both the Olympics and Paralympics, which are set to end on September 9.