D-Day in OS bid

West Ham United will learn later today whether they are to be named as preferred bidder for the Olympic Stadium.

The club are one of four parties bidding to take control of the iconic stadium and a decision over which of the four will receive the backing of the LLDC is expected at some point today.

The other parties involved in the bidding process are Leyton Orient, Formula One and a sports university based in Preston.

The club's bid has received widespread backing from a number of public figures, including Danny Boyle who was responsible for the Olympic Games opening ceremony.

The film director included West Ham United's anthem, 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles' in his three-hour extravaganza - and he firmly believes the club should be awarded use of the Stratford-based arena.

"We had to have the West Ham song because I think they should get the stadium. It would be wonderful," he said. "I hope the park is made into a big success by the fact the onus is on them now to keep investing and to keep it working because people love it."

Meanwhiel celebrity Hammers fan Ray Winstone is also backing the club's bid; speaking in a tabloid this morning he said: "It’s the perfect match. It would bring a great future for the club, but more importantly it would rejuvenate the area as well.

"We are a famous name, a name that hasn’t been realised to its full potential yet, but I think at last we are in good hands to realise that potential. Being offered the chance to play in the Olympic Stadium would be the icing on the cake. It's time for common sense to prevail."