By CLAIRE BATES and DEBORAH ARTHURS

Hysteria: Excitement reached fever pitch as Nicole Scherzinger performed to the crowds gathered at the new Westfield shopping centre in Stratford

Excited screams filled every inch of the newly launched Westfield Stratford as the gleaming megalith flung its glossy doors open to an eager public this morning.

If Britain is in the grip of a recession, there was no sign of it here as thousands pushed through the glass doors, wallets at the ready, to explore the much-hyped halls of the east London shopping centre.


Get shopping: Flanked by Westfield's directors, London Mayor Boris Johnson cuts the ribbon, declaring the centre open

Hysteria reached fever pitch as Pixie Geldof and Nick Grimshaw welcomed the masses, calling London mayor Boris Johnson on to the stage to cut the ribbon and declare the centre open.

Ex-Pussycat Doll and U.S. X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger took to the stage and, as the strains of her voice rang out into the furthest reaches of the packed mega-mall, the crowd - teenagers, middle-aged men and grannies alike - were whipped into a state of fervour.


Sultry star: Singer Nicole Scherzinger arrives at Westfield Stratford City ahead of her performance

It was a stellar unveiling of what is the commercial jewel in the crown of the Olympic development - and its launch befitted its status.

As many as 200,000 shoppers were expected to converge on this shiny mini-city of chrome and carrier bags, which contains 300 shops ranging from Primark to Prada within 1.9million sq ft.


Busy: A steady stream of customers arrived to explore the new shopping centre

Shoppers at the mall took to Twitter to discuss the new opening, many expressing their disbelief at the scenes.

'Hard to believe there's an economic slowdown. Stratford Westfield is chaos, serious crowd issues,' said one.

'So many people here, it's amazing, what recession?' another queried.


Extensive: The store accommodates 300 shops, including a large John Lewis, top left, and M&S, bottom left, as well as a Waitrose

Others were keen to talk about the drama of the day, with some talking of buses being searched for bombs by security, and others suggesting a roof tile had fallen from the ceiling, narrowly missing Boris Johnson.

'A metal roof tile has fallen from the roof of Westfield Stratford onto the floor of the food court & smashed just yards from @MayorOfLondon,' one said.

Some were critical - in particular of the decision to locate what will be the UK's largest casino on the site.


Big impact: Stores in the new shopping centre feature impressive window displays on a scale not often possible on the High Street


Waiting patiently: Hordes queue to be allowed entry into the shopping centre ahead of the first day trading


Crowds gather: Press and the public jostle for space as doors open at Westfield Stratford City today


Big attraction: Queues form outside the second UK branch of Forever 21 inside the complex


Monolith: There are three levels of double-tiered shops, with 70 cafes and restaurantsm including a McDonald's and a KFC


A city of shops: The shopping centre will act as 'gateway' to the Olympic Park and Athletes' Village ahead of the 2012 games

source: dailymail