Work is underway to ensure that Manchester looks its best for the thousands of visitors who will descend on the city in just over three weeks' time.

Manchester's Arndale Centre already features a display of banners and podiums with a distinctly sporty feel and shoppers strolling in Exchange Square are treated to an attractive display of topiary, illustrating some of the sports that will be on show at the Games.

Other sights will include a four-metre aluminium sculpture, depicting the three-figure Games emblem, erected over the main entrance arch of Manchester Town Hall. The Town Hall itself will be illuminated in the Games colours of red, blue, green and yellow.

The three-figure Games logo will be represented by giant, moving, inflatable figures in Piccadilly Gardens and Exchange Square and over 800 city centre businesses are being encouraged to dress their buildings.

Plants and banners will also decorate city centre streets and Manchester's main festival squares.

Frances Done, Chief Executive of Manchester 2002, said: "The Games is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Manchester to the rest of the world. The vibrant red, blue, green and yellow colours of the Games will help make the city look stunning. Thanks to our host broadcaster, the BBC, images of Manchester will be sent to over a billion viewers during Games time. It's a great way of raising the city's profile on an international level."