ATHLETES from more than 120 countries will be welcomed to Manchester in a spectacular ceremony when the World Swimming Championships open next week.

The event will launch the five-day contest which will be played out in two swimming pools inside the M.E.N. Arena.

More than 800 of the world's best swimmers will be taking part in the FINA short-course championships making it the biggest in history.

Thousands of spectators are expected to visit the city and those who buy tickets for the first night of finals on Wednesday will also be treated to the opening ceremony.

It will include aerial dance, performance and music inspired by Manchester, taking in everything from the Happy Mondays to Salford-born opera singer Jon Christos, who will perform with schoolchildren from the area.

Flagbearers from each of the 127 countries taking part will also play a part and events firm The Dream Engine, which was behind part of the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in 2002, has been recruited to create a `show-stopping' surprise on the night.

Head of events for Manchester council, Margaret Stephenson, said: "Manchester is a city with sport at its heart, music as its pulse and celebration in its soul. We are putting on a real show with a surprise in store which we hope will delight the audience and set the tone for a spectacular championships."

Work is also under way to transform Cathedral Gardens into Championship Square where street performers and local musicians will entertain the crowds throughout the five days.

The international festival marquee will house free activities and entertainment put on by the championships' sponsors, including the world's biggest box of cereal created by Kellogg's, an exhibition celebrating the history of swimwear firm Speedo alongside a `walk on water' experience.