The decision was taken this morning at a Cabinet Committee meeting for London 2012, chaired by Prime Minister David Cameron.

The move comes amid continued concern over the security staff provided by beleaguered contractor G4S.

The Government were forced to provide 3,500 troops earlier this month after G4S admitted it could not provide its 10,400 contracted guards.

"Ministers decided that we should deploy the additional 1,200 troops that were put on standby last week," said a Government statement.

"On the eve of the largest peacetime event ever staged in this country, Ministers are clear that we should leave nothing to chance.

"The Government continues to have every confidence that we will deliver a safe and secure Games."

The total UK military deployment at the London 2012 Olympics is now 18,200.

London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton has backed the action to minimise all possible threat to the Games.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond speaks to troops working on London 2012 at their temporary barracks 

"The reason that this decision has been taken is to absolutely de-risk any aspect of the operation," he said at a press conference here.

"With three days to go, we just want to make sure this works without any worries at all."

Deighton explained that G4S have so far provided around 6,000 staff and are, therefore, struggling to hit their target of 7,000 meaning that it was sensible to call on additional troops, who he said will actually enhance the security operation.

"You can't be absolutely certain of anything with a temporary workforce," he said of the G4S staff.

"Therefore we want to substitute a temporary workforce with a permanent, reliable workforce that we get with the military.

"The same plans that we have always had are in place but if anything, security has actually improved given that the military are a highly trained workforce whereas the temporary one being provided by G4S is not so trained."

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