The Evening Standard claim that a greenfield site could host the sport if it is decided to abandon the original plan to stage it at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich.

 

A bespoke venue such as Barking would cut costs and also pacify the national shooting federation, which has lobbied for a new range to be built as a legacy from the Olympics, the Evening Standard claimed.

 

Alternatives to Woolwich are detailed in the Government-commissioned report by KPMG which conducted a cost analysis of temporary venues.

 

The Olympic board accepted the accountancy firm's recommendation to keep equestrianism in Greenwich Park and basketball in the Olympic Park.

 

However the shooting remains under review and will be discussed again at next month's Board.

 

Barking would be the third choice of Olympic shooting venue as Games officials opted against the national shooting centre in Bisley, Surrey, after they were advised by the International Olympic Committee during the bid that it was too far for shooters to travel from London.

 

KPMG included Bisley in their cost analysis but its chances of becoming a 2012 venue are minimal.

 

KPMG has focused on cost effectiveness and its report is thought to have highlighted difficulties in Woolwich in accommodating the range "template" which is particularly large for Olympic events.

 

Woolwich has long been opposed by British Shooting, which wrote to MPs and started a petition on the Downing Street website to have it moved.

 

Besides Bisley, British Shooting have also previously championed the causes of Dartford and Nuthampstead, a small village in Hertfordshire, as possible alternatives to Woolwich.

 

The ODA is scouring Eastern Boroughs of London but if Barking wins approval then it will create a sixth Olympic Host Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

 

An ODA spokesman said: "Work to assess the best option is ongoing and no final decisions have yet been taken."

 

To read the full report visit http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23590619-details/Barking could become Olympic shooting venue/article.do.