London 2012 chief Sebastian Coe described it as a symbolic moment when Queen Elizabeth II toured the Olympic Park and planted the first of 4,000 trees that will landscape the site.

More Stories

• Hodge unsure of 2012 team
• 60 seconds with Paul Goodison

The Queen, who last visited in 2005, also viewed progress on the Olympic Stadium which is now a feature of the east London skyline as work continues on the venues and infrastructure for the £9.3 billion project.

Watched by construction workers, she stood on the spot that will be the finish line for the athletics track events in 2012before planting a willow tree outside.

"(It is) a symbolic gesture that represents the most extraordinary effort by everyone to ensure the Games bring lasting change for millions of people across London and the country," organising committee chairman Coe said.