Scotland's national football stadium has begun its transformation into a world-class athletics arena as the countdown to Glasgow 2014 continues.

Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill and champion hurdler Eilidh Child became the first athletes to view the new track, which sits on steel stilts at Hampden Park.

The specialist surface will be laid next month in preparation for the 20th Commonwealth Games in July.

Mrs Ennis-Hill is expecting her first child and will not be competing at the Games, but remains a high-profile ambassador for Glasgow 2014.

Ms Child is aiming to win medals in the 400m hurdles and 400m relay event.

Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg said: "We're really proud of what we've accomplished so far.

"To have the platform built and solution working, we are absolutely delighted.

"It has been tested and tried in the east end of Glasgow."

Child, who took silver in the 400m hurdles at the 2010 Games, said: "I've not been able to get my head round how it would look until today. It's really coming together and beginning to look like an athletes' track now. It's nice to see where the crowd are going to be and get a feel for it."

The athlete has previously been to the stadium as a Hearts supporter.

She said: "It still feels like the Hampden I know but it's got added excitement now."

Mrs Ennis-Hill said: "With the amount of work that's gone into raising the level of the stadium, it looks brilliant already."

Hampden closed its doors in December and diggers moved in to remove the stadium's turf.

Around 6000 steel stilts were put in place to raise the surface by about 6ft (2m), creating the width and length required for an International Association of Athletics Federations-approved track.During the Games, the stadium will seat 44,000 people. The project team says the £14 million transformation is the first of its kind.