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The UK鈥檚 tallest crane has been installed to lift the first steel sections of the Shard鈥檚 spire into place today.

When fully extended the crane will sit 317m (1,040 ft) above ground level - seven metres taller than the building鈥檚 eventual highest point.

The crane has been 鈥渏umped鈥� into place so as to enable construction of the Shard鈥檚 spire to get underway and take the building to its ultimate 310m height from its present 244m.

The spire will form the top 23 floors of the Shard starting at level 72 (the viewing gallery) and rising to level 95.

The crane sits on a platform attached to the outside of the building at floor 55 and will lift the 500 tonnes of steel comprising the spire into place over the coming weeks.

The first of the steel sections are being raised up the side of the building today.

Although there are 800 separate pieces of steel making up the spire, entire sections have been assembled off-site and then transported to the Shard rather than individual beams lifted and attached to each other at the top.

It is anticipated that the spire will require a total of around 100 crane lifts to raise all the large floor and facade sections into place.

Each facade section measures up to three storeys and have some servicing floors already attached.

Developer Sellar has worked with main contractor Mace, structural engineer WSP and steel contractor Severfield Rowan to develop the modular approach.

Irvine Sellar, chairman of Sellar Property Group, said: 鈥淭his is another unique milestone in the development of this global iconic landmark building.鈥�

鈥淭he Shard is already making a positive impact on London鈥檚 skyline and the spire will complement the design of the building and complete a truly stunning piece of architecture.鈥�

Gareth Lewis, Mace chief operating officer for construction, said: 鈥淭he height of the Shard and the space constraints of the central London site require innovation throughout the build process.

鈥淧re-assembly of sections of the spire will reduce the amount of work at height, making the installation as safe and efficient as possible and providing greater certainty prior to lifting that the correct fit will be achieved.

鈥淭his is another example of how we are using the very best thinking and technology to deliver an exceptional building to time and budget.鈥�