West Midlands business leaders have called for a delay in the launch of a new 2012 Olympic Games web portal until potential "shortcomings" are tackled.

They fear the planned new website could put West Midlands firms tendering for work at a disadvantage.

Louise Bennett, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive and Chair of the West Midlands Business Council's 2012 Games Business Taskforce, said: "We have become aware of plans by Olympic organisers, London 2012, to launch a national portal towards the end of the year which could lead to the creation of unnecessary barriers to participation by a full range of businesses through the design of the tendering process."

She added: "While plans for a national portal to help Midlands firms win work from the games is a worthy goal, we are worried that when firms register their interest for work - the answer to the key question as to why that firm should get the work - will not be considered until after the shortlisting stage has been completed.

"Instead, the computer system - the Electronic Brokerage Service (EBS) - will score a series of Yes/No questions to decide on who gets shortlisted - a system that is mainly not used in business, the Government or local councils as it could lead to value for money bids being missed.

"That is why we have written to the Olympics Minister, Tessa Jowell, to urge the Government to intervene in this matter to address these shortcomings before the expected launch of the system later this year."

* Midlands firms can find out about all tenders - directly and indirectly linked to the games - at www.ready-for-business.co.uk.