Giant flag marks new phase for the 2012 campaign

London 2012's new campaign slogan has been launched with a giant flag urging supporters to 'Make Britain Proud'.

The flag, which measures 20m by 12m, was unveiled at the climax of the 'Parade of Heroes' celebrations in central London.

Olympians Kelly Holmes and Amir Khan were the first to add their signatures to the flag, which will tour the country collecting signatures from sports stars and celebrities.

Fans crowded into Trafalgar Square for the climax of the Athens celebrations saw the huge flag draped over the steps of the National Portrait Gallery.

After signing the flag, Holmes gave her backing to the campaign's 'Make Britain Proud' message.

She said: "It proves exactly what the British public are like with our sports people. They would be behind us 100 per cent.

"If they can come out for us today, God knows what would happen if we got the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games."

London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe said the flag marked a new phase in the campaign to bring the Games to London.

He said: "This flag and the 'Make Britain Proud' campaign are part of the new phase in our bid.

"The hard work on the Candidate File is reaching an end and the job of promoting the bid nationally and internationally is just beginning.

"The giant flag is a key symbol of this new phase. It will tour the country over the next months and be signed by a range of high-profile individuals from diverse backgrounds who have contributed to UK sport and society.

"Bringing the Games to the United Kingdom will increase our pride and our aspirations just ask the thousands of British sports fans that watched our medal successes in Athens."