The first steel has been erected on the Olympic Stadium reaching 35 metres above the ground and creating a visible landmark for miles around the Olympic Park.

Steel terracing supports, each weighing 35 tonnes, are being lifted into place above the podium level to hold the 55,000 seats in the upper tiers. Work has begun this week on the south stand and 112 of these rakers will be erected around the Stadium podium over the next nine months.

These 40 metre long steel rakers have been fabricated in a factory in Bolton and are being delivered to site in sections, to be bolted together and lifted into place by a 200 tonne crawler crane.

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ODA Chair John Armitt said: "People will now start to see the skeleton of the Olympic Stadium from miles around, giving a real indication of the sheer size and scale of this flagship venue.

"We are not complacent about the challenges we will face in this complex project over the coming months and years, but we have made a strong start thanks to the hard work of the team on the ground."

Work started last month on the 200 concrete rakers and 12,000 pre-cast concrete terracing units for the lower bowl which holds the 25,000 permanent seats within the Stadium.

Towards the end of this year, the podium slab around the west and south stands will join up with the raised ground level on the north and east stands, creating a concourse around the entire Stadium where spectators will circulate.

(CD/JM)