Work on the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre’s extension, The Hydro, is taking shape after the 48 metre central roof section was added to the building. The roof of the new 12,000-capacity arena in Glasgow took five days to put into place and weighs 330 tonnes.

John Sharkey, SECC chief executive, said: “We are delighted to have reached this milestone in the construction of The Hydro. It has been a complex procedure and represents a great achievement by Lend Lease and the project team. We look forward to watching The Hydro as it evolves into Scotland’s home of live entertainment and the perfect place for future audiences to also enjoy raising the roof!”

Gordon Anderson, executive general manager of Lend Lease - the company constructing The Hydro - said: “This is the most complex feat of engineering in Scotland this year, and is a major step forward in The Hydro’s construction process."

The Hydro will open in September 2013 and is set to play host to around 140 events each year.