Going for gold: The Olympic Stadium

The London 2012 Games officially open today and the Barking and Dagenham Post wants its readers to help document the momentous sporting event.

The pre-show to the Games starts at 8.12pm, or 20:12, with the opening ceremony kicking off at 9pm.

Around 80,000 people are expected to watch the opening of the Games in the Stadium, with a television audience of millions across the world.

Maybe you are performing at the Opening Ceremony or are among the lucky ones to have a ticket. Send your pictures and stories to michael.adkins@archant.co.uk, sign up to iwitness24 or contact us through streetlife.com. Alternatively call the news room on 0208 477 3804.

A mobile 46-square metre big screen has been moved in to position at Central Park, Dagenham so residents can watch the opening ceremony thanks to funding from a group of churches. It comes just days after the same park welcomed the Olympic Flame as part of the 60th Dagenham Town Show.

The free event, called Festival Central, has been organised and funded by a group of churches in the borough and is the brainchild of Nick Hughes, associate minister of Bethel Church, in Parsloes Avenue, Dagenham.

He said: “I felt it would be a shame if a once in a lifetime event like the opening ceremony happened so close to us and just came and went without making the most of it.

“By showing it on a big screen in the park not only can people get a better feel of the event it’s also a great way of getting the community together. I’ve been told that thousands could turn up. I think the atmosphere is going to be fantastic.”

Before the broadcast, families can enjoy a host of music, dance, and sports displays performed by people from the local area, plus face painting, bouncy castles and refreshments.

Festival Central, which is open to all, starts at 4pm. For more information go to festivalcentral.org

Barking and Dagenham is a host borough.