BURY-based structural engineers William Hare is providing the steel for the £150 million redevelopment of Manchester's Arndale.

And the first of more than 6,800 pieces of steel that will create the superstructure for the redeveloped northern section of the Arndale has been hoisted and bolted into position.

Over the next nine and a half months, more than 6,000 tonnes of steel, the equivalent of 6,000 cars, will be used to create a framework around which the steel, glass and limestone panels that will make up the new- look Manchester Arndale will be constructed.

The start of the steel erection is the first visible sign of reconstruction in Prudential's £150 million regeneration of the centre. The programme is being managed by Bovis Lend Lease.

Six gangs, comprising a total of 50 workers, and five crawler cranes will work six days a week putting the steel into position.

The steel erection team's youngest member is 18 year-old Andrew Oxford who has been taken on as an apprentice by Castlecroft-based William Hare, specifically to work on the Arndale project.

Over the coming months, Andrew will receive on-site training from William Hare and off-site training from Skills Solutions.

The redevelopment of Manchester Arndale is due for completion in stages from October 2005.