Panel shatters as Boris Johnson opens Europe's largest urban shopping centre

A ceiling tile smashed in front of London mayor Boris Johnson today as he opened a £1.4 billion shopping centre that is to be a gateway to the London Olympics.

The tile dropped 30ft at the Westfield Stratford City shopping centre in east London near a stage where pop star Nicole Scherzinger had just performed live as part of the star-studded opening ceremony.

Mr Johnson, who had been giving a radio interview at the time, brushed off the incident, saying: "They have worked flat-out down here and whatever has happened over there (where the roof tile fell), I'm sure will be investigated and cleared up as soon as possible."

The building, Europe's largest urban shopping centre, officially opened its doors to the public today.

It is home to more than 300 shops, 70 restaurants, a 14-screen cinema, three hotels, a bowling alley and the UK's largest casino.

The large tile - roughly 5ft by 2.5ft - dropped 30ft to the ground, shattering on impact.

One witness said it fell from the ceiling at the top of the three-storey mall, hitting the ground opposite the centre's newly-opened HMV store.

The mayor escaped injury and no one else was hurt.

After the incident, security staff cordoned off the area while cleaners hurried in to clear up the debris.

Many people queued for two hours before most shops opened at the centre.

Most stores, including Marks and Spencer and John Lewis, were opening from 10am, with Mr Johnson and Frank Lowy, chairman and co-founder of the Westfield Group, cutting the ribbon at noon.

Pixie Geldof and TV presenter Nick Grimshaw were the event hosts and Scherzinger performed live.

Large digital screens have been placed around the centre to show the main sporting events during the Olympics as well as travel updates and news, and millions of pounds have been invested in new and upgraded stations and transport links to Stratford.

Mr Johnson said the centre had played, and would continue to play, a "crucial role" in regeneration.

"Thousands of jobs for Londoners, millions in investment, and one of the best shopping destinations in the world are a fantastic legacy which has been delivered years earlier than would have been possible without the 2012 Games," he said.

Christian Radnedge, a reporter from Soccer and Olympic News, was standing near Mr Johnson when the ceiling panel fell.

He said: "Boris was speaking to broadcast people at the time and I was there. All of a sudden the panel just came crashing down with a loud bang about 10 metres from Boris.

"He looked confused and shocked, everyone was shocked. The people sitting nearby on the tables were petrified."

A Westfield spokeswoman said: "We have had an absolutely fantastic launch today with shoppers turning up in their thousands to watch an incredible performance by global superstar Nicole Scherzinger.

"After the performance had finished and guests had moved onto a different part of the centre, a ceiling tile fell on to an empty part of the mall.

"No-one was touched and the area has already been cleared."

PA