The London Olympics and Paralympics could boost West End box offices, according to a survey of theatre-goers, BBC News reported.

In the Whatsonstage.com poll of more than 32,000 theatre-goers, 70% said they would attend as much or more than usual during the Games.

And two-thirds of respondents predicted the Olympics would help increase London theatre attendance.

In contrast, Andrew Lloyd Webber predicted the Olympics would force most London theatres to shut.

"Nobody's going to go to the theatre at all," the composer told Radio 4's Today programme in December. "It's going to be very tough," he said, revealing advance bookings were "about 10%" of their normal level.

The musical Sweeney Todd, starring Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton, opens in the West End later this month and will take a break during the Olympics.

The minority of theatre-goers who said the Olympics may put them off going to see a show, added their minds could be changed in the run up to the games by reduced ticket prices (63%), assurance of smooth-running transport (41%), good seat availability (31%) and celebrity-led casts (18%).