RISING triumphantly from the industrial decline of its surroundings, the centrepiece of next month's Commonwealth Games certainly raises a few eyebrows.

The sporting arena, ringed by 38,000 spectator seats, lies just a mile from the city centre and can be easily viewed from vantage points around Bury.

Built at a cost of £110 million, the City of Manchester Stadium is destined to become the home of Manchester City Football Club next year.

But before that, it will be christened with Britain's biggest ever multi-sporting event, the Commonwealth Games.

Below the futuristic suspension masts which crown the venue, a blaze of colour is set to unfold at the opening ceremony on July 25.

The track and field will see teams from 72 nations carrying their nation's flags aloft and into the stadium before events really get under way.

Athletics finals are planned for each of the ten following days, building up to a momentous Rugby Sevens clash of titans involving Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Seeing the venue for the first time was 54-year-old Sue Collinge, of Halliwell Road, Rainsough who is pictured raising her arms in salute to the venue. She was invited as a member of the Rainsough Tenants' and Residents' Association, which received tickets from games sponsors United Utilities after being recognised as "Community Champions".

She said: "The stadium is absolutely awesome. The setting is fantastic and it makes you very proud that we can do this here.

"We were ecstatic to have been recognised and to get our own piece of this."

With three of the four sides to the stadium under cover, at least the majority of spectators will be shielded from the blustery Mancunian weather.

Most are expected to arrive by public transport, with a park and ride bus shuttle service operating from Heaton Park.

Regular shuttle buses will also be travelling between the venue and Manchester City Centre, including Victoria Station.

Tickets for a wide range of sports are still available and can be obtained by contacting 0870 162 2002, or online at: www.commonwealthgames.com