Set against the backdrop of the city's Williamson Square fountain, the stunning display, combining the cascading fountain and pyrotechnics, provided a fitting finale of the 22 day ‘Be Part of 2012’ Roadshow, which completed its long nationwide journey today.

London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe led the celebrations to be held in Liverpool, the last stop for the 2012 Roadshow, which has visited 65 locations across all 12 regions of the UK and travelled over 3,300 miles, informing communities about the wide range of benefits, opportunities and activities related to the Games.

“Exactly six years ago from today we will be welcoming athletes and visitors from more than 200 nations to London and the UK, for the biggest peace-time event the world has seen," said Coe.

"The Games gives us the opportunity to improve our nation’s health, create new business opportunities and increase the number of visitors to our country. 

 

"80,000 spectators from around the UK and the world will also be making their way to the Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony in the new Olympic Park – which will be the biggest urban park in Europe.”

 

Liverpool-born Jude Kelly, the chair of Culture, Ceremonies and Education for London 2012, was also in the Square to jon the celebrations. “Liverpool will be the European Capital of Culture in 2008 – the year that the Cultural Olympiad for the 2012 Games begins," she said.  

 

"Many cultural celebrations will take place across the UK, including the high profile Olympic Torch Relay, in the lead up to the Olympic Ceremony, which will showcase the youth, culture, diversity and creative excellence of the UK.

"Young people from around the UK will be recruited to be part of the Opening Ceremony and the creative work and ideas of young people from around the city will also be on display in the Olympic Park.”

Earlier in the day Olympic legend Daley Thompson and Sports Minister Richard Caborn joined the 2012 Roadshow as it travelled to Preston and visited regional cities that will also host Olympic football and cultural events. 

 

At Manchester’s Old Trafford the footballer and manager Sir Alex Ferguson led a tour of the 2012 venue and there was a demonstration of football skills from promising young players from the area.

“Travelling 3,300 miles over the last three weeks, our Roadshow has taken the message to people in all parts of the country that there’s something in the 2012 Games for them," said Caborn. 

 

"The Government is determined that benefits from Games will be considerable and long lasting – whether boosting business, increasing tourism, enhancing our place in world sport or most importantly, leaving a legacy of better health and increased participation in sport.”