Six million UK adults want to attend the London 2012 Olympics, according to a new study.

A further 36 million are planning to watch the Games on TV, the Continental Research survey revealed.

Lead researcher Louise Stacey said: "With five years and six months still to go there is lots of time for public opinion and support for Games to be generated, but already feeling regards the impact of the event on East London looks extremely positive."

The Continental Research survey questioned around 990 UK adults and more than 500 senior business leaders.

It found that the majority of UK adults (72 per cent) believe London 2012 will have a positive impact on east London.

The outlook is also positive amongst senior business people, with three quarters saying it will have a positive impact on the British economy.

Seventy-three per cent of those questioned plan to watch the Games on TV and 12 per cent want to attend the prestigious event in person.

Unsurprisingly, given the opportunities for corporate hospitality, intentions to attend the games amongst senior business people were higher - over one quarter of business executives in the UK said they would attend at least one event.

Currently the nation does not typically associate east London with the 2012 Games, the survey found.

In fact from a list of 11 associations it is ranked in fifth place after Eastenders, The Krays, Canary Wharf, The Dome and West Ham Football club!