A report for the Government says the UK ecomony has benefited by almost £10bn from last year's Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The report by UK Trade and Investment said businesses had secured contract wins, additional sales and new foreign investment in the last year.

It said there had also been an increase in volunteering, as well as 1.4 million more people playing sport at least once a week than in 2005.

The £9.9 billion of economic benefit included £5.9 billion of additional sales from Olympic-related activity such as business events held in this country during the Games.

More than 31,000 new jobs have been generated by additional investment since the Games, with 58% of the value outside London.

Independent research projects that the total benefit to the UK from hosting London 2012 could reach up to £41 billion by 2020, said the report.

But not everyone agrees that the effect has been widespread.

The national policy chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, Mike Cherry, questioned whether the Olympic effect was felt outside London.

Mr Cherry said: ''Out in the regions, we found that the effect of the Olympics and Paralympics, and the contracts we were expecting, really didn't materialise as much as I suspect many people were hoping for.

''A lot of work went into it at the very beginning, when it was all announced. But although some businesses certainly got some really good contracts, for the vast majority it just didn't happen.''

Business Secretary Vince Cable rejected suggestions that the report had attributed to the Olympic effect economic activity and investment which might have taken place anyway.

He said companies which had been considering investing in this country were persuaded to do so as a direct result of the Olympics.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: ''[We asked] the very simple question 'Would you have invested otherwise?'

''Some of these activities clearly would, but the Olympics were a key catalyst in making those investment decisions real.

''This is a positive over and above the 'party', and I think it is very real.''

Prime Minister David Cameron said: ''This £9.9 billion boost to the UK economy is a reminder to the world that, if you want the best, if you want professionalism, if you want jobs done on time and on budget then you should think British.

''With companies across the country we are harnessing the Olympic momentum and delivering the lasting business legacy of the Games that will help make Britain a winner in the global race.

''But that's not where the good news ends. The Games are also delivering a strong social legacy. Last summer, Games Makers changed the way Britain views volunteering. Since then, thousands of people have been inspired to get involved with their local sports clubs.''

What do you think? Is Dorset benefiting from an Olympic legacy? Let us know in the comments.