An 800 tonne crane will lift the sculpture into place

The B of the Bang, designed as a tribute to the 2002 Commonwealth Games, arrived at its new home outside the City of Manchester Stadium in June.

The 184ft (56m) sculpture, designed to look like a fireworks explosion, is made up of 200 solid steel columns.

Welders are to spend several hours securing five of its 82ft (25m) tapered legs to the ground.

The sculpture was commissioned by urban regeneration company, New East Manchester Limited.

The sculpture will be moved from a temporary platform on the corner of Alan Turing Way and Ashton New Road.

"This major milestone for B of the Bang means that its sheer size and scale can really begin to be appreciated for the first time, and the feats of design and engineering that have gone into its construction are more readily apparent," said Tom Russell, Chief Executive of New East Manchester.

The sculpture is taller than the Angel of the North, in Gateshead, and will lean at a greater angle than the Leaning Tower of Pisa, in Italy.

It was named after British sprinter Linford Christie's famous saying: "I'll be gone by the B of the Bang."