A bid to get the Olympic torch paraded across Lincolnshire in 2012 is being drawn up.

If the plan is approved, tourism bosses and business people believe it will be a huge boost for the county.

The county council is working with the London 2012 organising committee to get the iconic flame brought here.

The authority would like to see it paraded along the route of the Eleanor Crosses – a historic trail which runs from Lincoln Cathedral to Westminster Abbey, taking in sites at Lincoln, Boston, Grantham and Stamford.

Matt Corrigan, chief executive of the Lincoln Business Improvement Group, said: "It's absolutely fantastic. In terms of trade and bringing people in it could only be good news.

"We've been thinking about how to link Olympic events to the area as we don't have any particular sporting connection.

"But it would be a great event for the city and would give us a boost in planning our own Olympic events."

The Games begin on July 27, 2012, and a final decision on the torch's route will not be made until next year at the earliest.