It's not just the athletes and their families who are looking forward to the Special Olympics.

Bob Welland, who owns the Abinger Guest House, in Hinckley Road, Leicester, reckons the sports festival has saved his business.

He is one of scores of people who run guesthouses, hotels and bed & breakfasts in Leicester who have reported a rise in bookings.

Bob said: "Next week is the only week we've been full all year. And it's make or break time for us. If it wasn't for the games we would be putting up the For Sale boards and moving elsewhere.

"It's a real boost."

Mr Welland, who has been at the hotel for eight years, offers single rooms from £34 and doubles from £46, with full English breakfast served up.

He said he did a lot of business when the Highcross shopping centre was being built, but visitor numbers have declined since then.

However, the Special Olympics is drawing thousands of people to hotels once again.

The events kick off on Saturday, when 2,700 athletes competing in the games will attend an opening ceremony at the Walkers Stadium, Leicester.

More than 12,000 people are expected to visit the city during the week of events, including athletes, their families, coaches and medical volunteers from around the country.

At Glenfield Lodge Hotel, in the city's West End, owner Robert Brown was also looking forward to welcoming dozens of guests visiting for the games. He said: "The Special Olympics are having a positive effect on our bookings and quite a few of the rooms have been booked for the games.

"The whole economy is so difficult it's good to see things looking up."

Campbells Hotel, in nearby Westleigh Road, also reported extra bookings thanks to the games.

The Stage Hotel, in Wigston, Leicester, has rooms booked out to athletes and their families next week. At the Belmont House Hotel, in New Walk, special deals have been offered to attract visitors coming for the games.

Caroline Holloway, for the hotel, said: "We've sold quite a few bedrooms for the Special Olympics and on Sunday we've got a meeting room booked because of the games. It has given us quite a bit of business."

For the first time, the economic and cultural impact of the games will be closely monitored by academics.

Researchers from the University of Leicester and De Montfort University will be working together to report on the "legacy" of the games.

Professor Richard Holt, director of De Montfort's international centre for sports history and culture, said: "We'll be investigating the legacy of the games on the community, the volunteers and athletes, so the research can be used as a guide for other cities thinking of hosting a major sporting event."