With only one month to go until the London 2012 Olympic Games begin; final preparations have begun to ensure the city is in tip top condition to greet its international guests.

London Mayor Boris Johnson and LOCOG chairman Sebastian Coe watched on Tuesday as a giant set of interlocking Olympic rings were eased into place atop Tower Bridge.

The colossal rings, which 25m wide and 11.5m tall, form the centrepiece of the "2012 look" that visitors will experience as they flood into the capital en mass for the Games starting July 27 and ending on August 12.

The Tower Bridge rings, which cost £260,000 to produce, were financed from the £32 million Look and Celebration budget, which will be used to back free cultural events across London.

Lord Coe, himself a two-time Olympic 1500m champion, said: 'The Olympic rings are an iconic symbol, inspiring athletes and uniting people around the world. To athletes they represent the culmination of thousands of hours of training and reaching the highest level in sport."

Tower Bridge's new lighting system - involving 1,800 special energy-efficient LED lights, 2,000 metres of energy-efficient LED linear lights, 5,000 metres of cable and 1,000 junction boxes - will bring the Olympic rings to life in a spectacular light show.

The city-wide Look and Celebration programme for the Games includes free events, shows, entertainment and cultural pieces, designed to show the world the best the city has to offer.

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