The stadium uses 532 individual floodlights

Schoolchildren joined the Prime Minister to see the Olympic Stadium up in lights for the first time.

David Cameron turned on the floodlights, which will shine on all the sporting action when the spotlight falls on east London in 2012.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson, London Organising Committee chairman Seb Coe, Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) chairman John Armitt and an audience of Olympic Park workers also watched the stadium light up on Monday evening (December 20).

The arena uses 532 individual floodlights suspended 70 metres above the sports ground so that the 2012 Games can be broadcast on high definition TV.

The ODA has also announced that spectator seats have been fully installed.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “It’s a real honour to turn on the Olympic floodlights for the first time.”

“Today we’re shining a light on this stadium and the brilliant work that’s been done on the Olympic Park so far. In 2012 a light will shine on all of our country as billions look on. I want the world to see that Britain is a confident, forward-looking country - a great place to live, work, invest and do business.”