THE Olympics has created or safeguarded "many hundreds" of jobs in Derbyshire, with dozens of companies winning Games-related work worth up to £100 million.

Bosses of some firms which have won contracts have said they would have had to make redundancies had London not got the 2012 Games.

So far, at least 63 companies in the county have been commissioned to help prepare the UK for hosting the world's biggest sporting occasion.

But one, Evans Concrete Products, which has helped build the Olympic Park, said it had also subcontracted "in excess of 20" other local firms to help it complete 30 orders. To cope with the massive workload, the company had to double its workforce to 70.

Derbyshire's 2012 legacy co-ordinator Rory Slater said the Games were helping local companies survive the economic crisis.

He said: "It's fantastic that Derby and Derbyshire are making such a significant contribution to the world's greatest show.

"These latest figures demonstrate the economic value of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games to our wonderful city and county.

"The economic value to Derbyshire businesses is at least £80 million. That is a conservative estimate and does not take into account the number of subcontractors that have also secured work."

Taking them into account, the figure could reach £100 million.

"What we do know is it has created and safeguarded many hundreds of jobs during what are difficult economic times."

In total, Derbyshire businesses have won more than 100 Olympic-related contracts since London was chosen to host this summer's Games in 2005.

By far the biggest winner is Evans Concrete Products. The Somercotes company has won a string of contracts, worth more than £5 million in total.

It has provided all 13 access bridges serving the Olympic Park, as well as staircases and seats at the park's various state-of-the-art arenas.

It has also supplied the park with one of the largest water features in the world, weighing 300 tonnes.

Chairman Garry McBride said: "Purely because of the Olympic Games, we've had to double our workforce from 35 to 70.

"We're hoping to keep that number because after the Games have finished there will still be a lot more work to do.

"The athletes' village will become empty and will need converting into a residential village.

"We're confident of winning the work because the Olympic Games has raised our profile immeasurably.

"Our skills and products are showcased all over the Olympic Park.

"We've dealt with 15 main contractors – only half of which knew us before the Olympics. We started off with one contract, which was the main entrance access bridge, and were then awarded a whole lot more, which has been fantastic."

Plantscape, based near Ashbourne, has also won a number of Olympic orders, including a 268-planter display for Broxbourne Borough Council, in Hertfordshire, which is hosting the canoe slalom events at Lea Valley White Water Centre, near Waltham Cross.

It has also supplied 20 anti-terror planters designed to help protect buildings from ram-raiders. The product can keep out a pick-up truck.

Elsewhere, the company is supplying hanging baskets and planters at Coventry's Ricoh Arena, which is hosting Olympic football.

Managing director Mark Stone said the Olympic orders had been worth at least £200,000 to his company. He said: "It's a significant amount of money. It's very positive. Without doubt, the Olympic Games has meant we've not had to make any job cuts."

Bill Dilks, an organic farmer in Belper, has also benefited, having signed a deal with McDonald's, an official London 2012 sponsor.

Part of the fast-food giant's advertising strategy for the Games is its use of organic milk in teas and coffees – which comes from Mr Dilks' farm.

Mr Dilks said the contract had been worth "thousands of pounds" to his business, as cows from his farm had also appeared in several TV adverts for McDonald's.

Elsewhere, Testing and Analysis Ltd was commissioned to test the foundations of the Olympic Park's Aquatics Centre.

The Alfreton company was also responsible for carrying out noise predictions and monitoring vibrations.

Mick Dean, noise and vibrations manager, said: "It was worth between 5% and 10% of our turnover. It was nice being involved in something like the Olympic Games."

Another company, Linden Signs, in Ripley, has supplied road signs for the Olympic Park.

Local businesses are also set to benefit when the Olympic torch comes to Derby on Friday, June 29, sparking a 48-hour celebration – including a celebration at Darley Park.

The event is expected to attract thousands of people to the city centre, with Jurys Inn and Holiday Inn set to be among the hotels providing accommodation for those staying overnight.

Marketing Derby director John Forkin said the Olympics had given the local economy a "terrific" boost.

He said: "The fact Derbyshire businesses have won contracts worth around £100 million is really significant.

"It shows the world we have the type and quality of businesses that are worthy of winning contracts for huge events."