Construction began yesterday on the Cape Town stadium to be used for the 2010 World Cup with a ceremony that included a blessing by religious representatives.

Ground for the 68,000, all seater stadium in Green Point, was broken by Mayor Helen Zille and Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool.

Approval for construction was held up by residents who were unhappy at the loss of the golf course the stadium is replacing. Cape Town mayor Helen Zille also sought financial guarantees to cover potential cost overruns for the new stadium, which has to be finished by 2009.

Rasool said the Western Cape hoped that the new stadium would act as the "cheese in the trap" to lure much needed investment for public transport.