31 JAN: Britain is going to lose billions of dollars in tourism earnings this year because Olympic Games organisers have blocked off far more hotel rooms than they need. The claim is being made by industry leaders following a weekend disclosure that the Games committee has over-estimated by 25% the number of rooms needed for officials, media and sponsors.

It will see 120,000 of the 600,000 booked nights handed back to hotels.

But tour operators say the sudden flood of unsold rooms will come too late to be of any use.

London newspaper The Independent says an analysis suggests that up to one million beds will now go unsold over the Games period.

The paper quotes Premium Tours, a leading sightseeing operator based in London, predicting a one-third decline in business this year.

Md Neil Wootton said: "Prices have been so high that tourists are moving elsewhere.

"Overseas wholesalers who traditionally push London have switched to other cities this year.

"If the Parisian and Italian hoteliers do their job then the tours may never return to London."

By the end of January his company has normally sold one-fifth of summer capacity. It is currently 60% below that figure.