A LARGE stone sculpture of the Olympic Rings was lifted into place by a crane this morning outside Weymouth railway station.

The Rings have been carved by local stonemasons using world-renowned Portland limestone.

The sculpture stands at 2.5 metres tall, one metre deep, 3.8 metres long and aims to provide an iconic and locally distinctive welcome for Olympic visitors this summer.

Weymouth and Portland will be hosting the London 2012 Olympic sailing events between July 27 and August 11 and the Paralympic sailing from September 1 to 6. After the Games it is planned to move the Rings to Portland.