Businesses across Derbyshire are being invited to come along to a series of free briefings to help them capitalise on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that next year's London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay route is poised to bring.

Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, the area's official tourist board, has organised four sessions around the county to encourage all businesses to profit from the route's full potential to attract extra visitors, as well as involving local communities.

The Torch Relay will arrive in Derbyshire on Friday June 29 and will pass through several of its best-known market towns - Bolsover, Chesterfield, Matlock (including The Heights of Abraham at Matlock Bath), Bakewell, Buxton and Ashbourne - before arriving in Derby for a special evening event.

All businesspeople who attend the briefings will receive an Olympic update and news about events linked with the Torch Relay from Derbyshire's 2012 Legacy Co-ordinator Rory Slater.

There will also be presentations focusing on Visit Peak District & Derbyshire's and VisitEngland's £4 million marketing plans in 2012, plus the opportunity to share ideas for tourism promotions, events and special offers to coincide with the Relay.

Briefings will be held at:

• Ashbourne - Monday December 5, Ashbourne Leisure Centre, Clifton Road, Ashbourne, DE6 1DR, 10am - 11.30am

• Matlock - Monday December 5, Derbyshire Dales District Council Offices, Town Hall, Bank Road, Matlock DE4 3NN, 2pm - 3.30pm

• Chesterfield - Monday December 5, Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, Commerce Centre, Canal Wharf, Chesterfield S41 7NA, 6pm - 7.30pm

• Derby - Monday December 19, Hallmark Hotel, Midland Road, Derby DE1 2SQ, 2.30pm - 4pm

• Buxton - In early 2012, date and venue to be confirmed

"While much of the interest in the London Olympics 2012 will centre on the capital, the Torch Relay that precedes it gives the whole country the chance to get involved in the celebrations," said David James, Chief Executive at Visit Peak District & Derbyshire.

"Not only is it an excellent chance for local communities to come together to organise and join in special events, it's also a brilliant opportunity for businesses to benefit from the extra economic boost that being on the route could bring.

"And while we'll be sharing news about VisitEngland's, our own and the Olympic organisers' plans for 2012, we also hope that they will contribute their own ideas for tourism promotions, events and special offers so that we can all make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime event."

Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so anyone interested in attending should e-mail Jim Oribine, Head of Industry Services at Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, at jim.oribine@visitpeakdistrict.com, as soon as possible, specifying which event they would like to attend.