US entertainment giant AEG, which owns The O2, is bidding to take over the entire Olympic Park once the London 2012 Games have ended.

Earlier this month, AEG joined a list of more than 100 companies that have submitted bids to run the £537m Olympic Stadium - a list that includes a joint bid from West Ham United and Newham Council.

The West Ham bid had been thought of as the favourite, but AEG - which transformed Labour's white elephant, the Millennium Dome, into one of the world's most successful music venues - is a serious contender.

Now, however, it seems AEG doesn't want to stop at the stadium. AEG Europe's chief executive David Campbell told London's Evening Standard: "Having the park operated in an integrated manner - from the aquatics centre to the smaller venues - is critical.

"The stadium would be the most prominent part but there's still a footfall coming in from the rest of the park."