Lego master craftsmen create Barack Obama's inauguration

Barack Obama-mania has spread to the world of Lego, with a model of the President Elect's highly anticipated inauguration now the main attraction at Legoland in California.

By Etan Smallman

LEGO 56th Presidential Inauguration - Barack and Michelle Obama in motorcade Photo: GRAHAM WHITBY BOOT/ALLSTAR

LEGO 56th Presidential Inauguration - Barack Obama makes speech Photo: GRAHAM WHITBY BOOT/ALLSTARGRAHAM WHITBY BOOT/ALLSTAR

Model builder Gary McIntire puts the finishing touches on a Lego presidential inauguration scene Photo: AP

LEGO 56th Presidential Inauguration - Michelle Obama, Malia Ann Obama, Sasha Obama, Barack Obama, Laura Bush, George W. Bush Photo: GRAHAM WHITBY BOOT/ALLSTAR

Lego master craftsmen have been putting the finishing touches to a model White House, motorcade, and even queues to the porta-loos, as excitement surrounding the upcoming 56th inauguration of a US president reaches fever pitch.

Obama will be sworn in as the 44th American president and first African-American president in Washington on Tuesday. But those who simply cannot wait can already see what the theme park describes as a "pre-enactment".

Visitors to the California attraction can see Mr Obama and his whole family constructed out of the multi-coloured Danish bricks.

Crowds of mini Lego people surround the construction, with onlookers including outgoing George W. Bush and Hillary and Bill Clinton.

Obama's daughters Sasha and Malia are also depicted, standing proudly behind the president-elect as he takes the presidential oath of office on the steps of the Capitol.

More than one thousand mini figures have been created out of thousands of Lego bricks. Other mini-figures depicting ceremony participants include Oprah Winfrey and Aretha Franklin.

Legoland is the latest attraction trying to capitalise on the enthusiasm surrounding the event.

Madame Tussauds in London have also unveiled their recreation of Obama. The waxwork of the president-elect is seen smiling with his arms folded as he stands behind a desk in the Oval Office.

Lego Obama is inaugurated