The giant Union flag which has been painted on to Heathrow's runway for the Diamond Jubilee

Watch a time-lapse video of a huge Union flag being painted on to one of Heathrow Airport’s runways to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.

The giant 540 square metre flag features a silhouette of the Queen.

The artwork measures 30 metres in length - 10 metres taller than Buckingham Palace and three times the width of an A380’s fuselage - and is the first time ever an image has been painted on the airfield.

The patriotic emblem was created using more than 400 litres of red, white and blue paint.

It has been positioned adjacent to the northern runway so passengers can spot it from their flights.

The flag will give the 780,000 passengers expected to arrive for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations a Great British welcome to the UK.

Meanwhile, passengers arriving at Heathrow over the next week will be treated to a royal welcome with red carpets laid in arrivals halls in all terminals.

Diamond Jubilee and Union flags will be handed out and visitors will be invited to write messages of congratulations to the Queen in official books that will be sent to Buckingham Palace.

John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow commercial director, said: “The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations mark the start of an important and historic summer for Heathrow.

“As the UK’s hub airport, we are delighted to welcome thousands of visitors to Heathrow to celebrate this momentous national occasion.”