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The new photographs show a grey set which covers almost the entire expanse of the stadium's centre. The meandering Thames runs through the middle, resembling the opening credits of Eastenders, the BBC soap.
Banks of greenery surround the outline of the 'city' and rolls of turf can be seen piled on its outskirts, waiting to be laid. Lines of hedges and wooden fences zig-zag across the map and a water-wheel - as yet without any water flowing through it - can be seen protruding from the raised set. The £27 million ceremony has drawn inspiration from Shakespeare's The Tempest and is titled 'Isles of Wonder'. Mr Boyle said his aim was to create "a picture of ourselves as a nation" and has arranged for artificial rain to fall from fake clouds in case the night is clear and does not fairly represent Britain's wet climate.
A model version of Glastonbury Tor will be placed at one end of the British countryside in the opening scene, with a 'mosh pit' for selected spectators resembling the packed area of the crowd at the front of rock concerts. At the other end will be a 'posh pit' to represent the crowd at the final night of the BBC Proms. The large bell which will be rung at the start of the ceremony has been kept hidden and did not appear to be visible in the stadium on Saturday. More than 10,000 volunteers will contribute to the performance, including a cohort of NHS nurses.