THE suits and ties are about to be swapped for shorts and t-shirts as teams limber up for this year's Corporate Games.

Dubbed the Olympics of the business world, some 6,000 competitors are set to converge on Lydiard Park this weekend for 21 sports events over three days.

Hotels are already fully booked for the weekend up to 30 miles away from Swindon and the town is ready for a sudden influx of employees from some of the country's biggest firms.

Among the teams getting involved are the legal eagles from law firm Lemon and Co who have been training at Cannon's Gym.

They are entering the tug-of-war competition at the games, and team captain Catherine Green, a senior solicitor, said the tug-of-war team is relishing the challenge.

She said: "We've done a bit of practising but the most important thing is just to have a load of fun. It's a great way of chilling out with people you do business with during the week.

"And of course the games are also an excellent opportunity to showcase the enthusiasm and talent of Swindon businesses and the town's community."

The Princess Royal will open the games at Lydiard Park this Friday.

The sports, ranging from running to football and dragon boat racing to tug-of-war, are taking place at venues such as Lydiard Park and Coate Water.

Another sport will be Georgian period cricket, which will be played during the opening celebrations of the Games.

The match at Lydiard Park will feature English Heritage staff from Churchward, who will be dressed in traditional Georgian outfits and play to the rules of the game from 250 years ago.

But it won't just be about sport, organisers of the games are planning a huge free family festival with theatre and circus acts providing roaming entertainment through the crowds, while bands will perform music to suit all tastes on stage at Lydiard Park.

To find out more about the Games, and the acts expected to appear there, visit the website at: www.swindon.gov.uk/corporategames