By Julian Whittle

Last updated at 11:17, Saturday, 12 May 2012

A Carlisle company is celebrating its role in creating one of the iconic landmarks of the Olympic Games.

The 100m Olympic Orbit tower, paid for by global steel giant ArcelorMittal, is Britain’s largest public artwork and offers panoramic views across London’s skyline.

It was unveiled to journalists yesterday and will be open to the public from the end of July.

A specialist door at the top of the £22.7 million structure was manufactured and fitted by Clark Door, based at Kingmoor Park industrial estate in Carlisle.

Managing director Andrew Ashley said: “The tower is right in the middle of the Olympic Park – between the athletics stadium and the aquatics centre – so you could say Clark Door will be at the heart of the Olympics.

“I’ve stood at the top and the view over the Olympic park and across to the City of London skyline is stunning.

“It was a challenge because it is a groundbreaking building.

“The difficulty was designing a door for a structure that hadn’t actually been built.”

The door had to be made in small sections to make it easier to hoist into place.

Mr Ashley added: “When the staff at Clark Door sit back and watch the Olympics, they can be rightly proud that they have played a major role in such a prestigious project.”

The looping red tower was designed by artist Anish Kapoor and structural designer Cecil Balmond.

It is made from steel lattice – 63 per cent of which is recycled – and incorporates the five Olympic rings.

Visitors will be able to climb the 35-storey structure in a lift or walk up its spiral staircase.

First published at 08:58, Saturday, 12 May 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk