Plans to bring cheering fans to the heart of Ilford Town Centre as part of a colourful celebration of the Olympics in the summer of 2012 have been unveiled.

Project Active Ilford hopes to turn the town centre into a prime viewing spot for the Games, with plans for a big screen to be erected in High Road.

An international food fair will also help draw in visitors, while the town centre will be given an Olympic look with flags and �banners.

The Ilford Business Improvement District (BID) has formulated the plans, with Redbridge Council working alongside to turn them into a reality.

BID chairman Marc Myers told the Recorder: “I want people to come into the town centre and have a great time and leave with fantastic memories.

“For people in my age group, it will be the last time something like this will happen [in London]. I want to make the most of it and allow people to have fun in the town centre.”

The BID, which is made up of around 480 businesses who pay an annual levy to be part of it, will put in money towards the plans. Sponsorship is also being sought.

Under the proposals, there will also be games hosted in the town centre, including an It’s a Knock Out-style game. The plans are subject to consultation.

Ilford Town Centre manager Neil Davis said: “The idea is to give the community something to remember.

“A legacy so people and children who come to the town centre and take part in the activities can relay their stories about how they celebrated the London Olympics to their grandchildren.”

A spokeswoman for Redbridge Council said it supported any plan to celebrate the Games.

She added: “The Ilford BID’s plans are at a very early stage and nothing has been agreed but we will be speaking to them shortly to find out more about their proposals and how the council can help.

“The events and installations would still be subject to the �authority’s normal statutory and regulatory consents and checks, in relation to highways, licensing, town planning and public safety.”