INITIAL work to prepare a park for Olympic horse-racing is beginning.

Greenwich Park was given the go ahead in March to host equestrian events during London 2012, despite opposition from some campaigners and residents.

The cross country route will now be marked out using artificial grass markers while water is applied daily to the course to make the ground softer.

Organisers say hollows in the ground will be filled in and some less grassy areas will be reseeded.

Work is set to continue all the way up to the main event in July 2012.

The Friends of Greenwich Park, who have joined a community advisory committee to liaise with Games organisers, said they would “keep a watchful eye” over the works.