The UK Independence Party has backed the French bid for the 2012 Olympics, but the Scottish first minister is supporting London.

The eurosceptic group announced its decision to support Paris on Tuesday at the Capital's centre of government, City Hall.

UKIP London assembly member Damian Hockney was unfurling a pro-Paris banner at the Thameside building to the embarrassment of London bid campaigners.

The party believe the games would be a huge drain on the city's resources that could be better spent elsewhere.

With mayor Ken Livingstone having promised to underwrite the costs of a successful bid, UKIP's two assembly members fear Londoners could be left with a crippling bill if the budget overruns and half full stadiums of Athens are repeated.

Bid chiefs are "suffering from delusion on an Olympian scale" Hockney said.

Indicating a lack of confidence in British organisation, he added that "the French will make it work and make a thumping great profit out of it".

Scottish support

However the London bid was boosted by the Scottish first minister who pledged his administration's support while on a visit to Athens as a guest of the British Olympic Association.

Jack McConnell said the games would bring economic and sporting benefits to the whole of Britain.

"I cannot imagine a situation where the Olympics came to Britain and that didn't kindle a fantastic interest, among young people in particular, in sports participation, in turning up as part of the audience, but also trying to stretch each and everyone as far as they can go," he said.

"So I think having the Olympics in Britain would be great for us all and I think it would be a superb opportunity for Scottish companies.

"When the Olympics were held in Australia there were companies from all over that were ready to help.

"I would urge Scottish companies now to be thinking about what they can do if London is successful.

"I think there will be those in Scotland, including politicians, saying we shouldn't support the Olympic bid because it is in England. I just can't imagine the psychology behind that thinking."