Britain’s second-largest construction site after the Olympic Park is taking shape in Salford Quays, where the £500m MediaCityUK development is expected to host 2,500 BBC staff from 2011

In the name of regeneration, more than half of the £301m worth of contracts awarded so far have been to Greater Manchester firms, under the management of contractor Bovis Lend Lease. There are more than 80 apprentices on site.