London mayor Boris Johnson has announced his vision for how the capital is set to "look, feel and party" during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Johnson set out his plans before the Olympic Board - comprising Olympics minister Tessa Jowell; British Olympic Association chair Colin Moynihan and 2012 organising committee chair Sebastian Coe. The mayor plans to recruit 7,000 volunteers located at a number of strategic points across the capital to ensure people are able to travel to venues quickly and efficiently.

Four proposed live sites - Hyde Park; Victoria Park; Potters Field and Jubilee Gardens - will stage events to engage people, while Trafalgar Square is also identified as a key area. A 12-week arts festival is set to take place as part of the Cultural Olympiad between 21 June and 9 September, which will feature commissions from some of the world's leading artists.

Johnson said: "We're under no illusion about the mammoth tasks ahead in planning and preparing for the world to come and experience our capital. "It would be remiss of us to think people will stay away from such an occasion - simply put, it will be 'business as unusual'. But we will be more than ready and are carefully planning these momentous and historic days for our city."