ALEX Salmond will lead an "unprecedented" Scottish Government trade delegation to the Olympics in a bid to drum up millions of pounds in new business contracts as diplomats and company executives from around the world converge on the UK capital.

The First Minister, who will attend the London 2012 opening ceremony on Friday, will spearhead the charm offensive to showcase the best of Scotland's industries, from engineering to culture. It will focus on reaching major UK and overseas companies that do not have operations north of the Border.

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