Sporting legend Sebastian Coe has been snubbed by business leaders in Kidderminster.

The chairman of the London 2012 Olympic Committee was due to give a speech at a charity dinner tonight about how the Games would boost tourism in the town.

But the event has been cancelled at the eleventh hour due to poor ticket sales.

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Sporting legend Sebastian Coe has been snubbed by business leaders in Kidderminster.

The chairman of the London 2012 Olympic Committee was due to give a speech at a charity dinner tonight about how the Games would boost tourism in the town.

But the event has been cancelled at the eleventh hour due to poor ticket sales.

Today, general manager of Bewdley’s Ramada Hotel, where the dinner was to take place, said he was “bitterly disappointed” by the lack of interest shown by business chiefs.

John Macaskill said: “The event heralded a golden opportunity for local businesses to explore tourism and regeneration opportunities thrown up by the 2012 Olympics. But we did not have the expected take-up from the business and private sector.

“With the American athletes coming to Birmingham, there is the opportunity of promoting Worcestershire as a place where countries could base their training.”

Negotiations to fix a date for Lord Coe’s appearance took several months to complete. Half of the proceeds of the £49.50 per ticket event, which was to include a Champagne reception and dinner, were to have been donated to the ready, Steady, Win charity, which provides sports bursaries.

Mr Macaskill said he was now considering rearranging the event for later in the year and lowering the price of tickets.

* The National Lottery today pledged £675 million to the 2012 Olympics, which will now cost £9.35 billion to stage.