Magpies sign up as supporter numbers take off

The Magpies' stars are the latest figures from the worlds of sport and entertainment to add their signatures to London 2012's giant flag.

And a new online version of the flag has been launched to give the public the chance to show their support for London's bid.

More than 150,000 members of the public have already 'Made Britain Proud' by backing the bid, either online, by texting LONDON to 82012 or at events all over the UK.

Double gold medallist Kelly Holmes and teenage boxing silver medallist Amir Khan were the first stars to sign the flag when it was launched at the Parade of Heroes celebrations.

The parade saw more than 200,000 people lining the streets of London to honour the UK's Olympic and Paralympic medallists.

Since then celebrities including London 2012 bid ambassador Cherie Blair, Roger Moore, Joseph Fiennes and Dermot O'Leary have signed the flag.

Reigning champion Natasha Kaplinski led the stars of hit TV show Strictly Come Dancing in showing their support.

Roger Black, a former Olympic silver medallist and competitor in the current series of Strictly Come Dancing, said: "The Games should be held in one of the world's great cities.

"The time has come for London and Britain to show the world that we can host a superb Games."

The flag, which measures 20m x 12m, is being signed by celebrities and sport stars at high-profile events all over the country.

The flag will then be flown to Singapore in July to accompany the London 2012 bid team's final presentation to the IOC.

The host city for the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will be announced in Singapore on July 6 2005.

11 November 2004