FORMER England rugby player and Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Derek Wyatt has taken over as chairman of the Parliamentary committee supporting London's bid to host the 2012 Olympics.

The Labour MP, who is also a member of the culture, media and sport select committee, has been promoted from his role as vice chairman of the All Party London 2012 Olympic Committee.

His appointment coincides with the resignation of Barbara Cassani as chairman of London's 2012 Olmpic bid. She has been replaced by former Olympic gold medalist, Lord Sebastian Coe.

He said: "I think it is good that Barbara resigned. It was very brave but we need a Brit to lead a British bid."

The Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP, who has expressed a desire to attract Olympic windsurfing to Sheppey, plans to organise a day conference to explain how the UK can win the bid to host the Games and attract tourism and sports business.

Mr Wyatt said his new role would not affect his constituency work. He added: "I have more staff working for me than last year and we are able to handle the work load. There aren't many Kent MPs who've done 10,000 cases and over 300 advice surgeries."