The British ambassador to Israel has promised Israeli athletes "a proper British send off" before the London Olympics this summer.

Matthew Gould, speaking to Israel's Olympic hopefuls at the Dead Sea on Wednesday, said he was looking ahead to "the start of the greatest show on Earth".

Mr Gould, the first Jewish British envoy to Israel, promised the Israelis that their security was paramount.

"We are doing everything possible to keep you safe," he said. "Forty years on, the lessons from Munich have not been forgotten."

While he said he hoped Britain would be triumphant on its home turf, he expressed hope that Israelis would "bring back a record collection of medals, and that Hatikvah will be heard in the Olympic stadiums".

"In London there will be many, many people cheering for you…who want to see you excel," he said.

He said that as the Olympic preparations gathered pace, Britain would be "a little less British and modest about our achievements, and instead be a bit more Israeli and really celebrate".