The last of the model’s 250,000 bricks was clicked into place by the television presenter Ben Fogle this morning.

The 3.2-metre-tall construction is designed to draw attention to the renowned ruins and attract visitors to the South American nation.

“Peru is a fascinating country and Machu Picchu never ceases to amaze me,” Mr Fogle said. “I hope the Lego model inspires people to experience the real Machu Picchu first hand.”

The overall model was constructed by Bright Bricks, a company specialising in building eye-catching LEGO constructions. It took five employees of the company three weeks to build.

As part of the event, there were Peruvian musicians and traditional dancers entertaining the Covent Garden crowds, and Peruvian chocolate was distributed to passers-by.

Last year marked 100 years since Machu Picchu was discovered by Western civilisation.

The American explorer Hiram Bingham came across the abandoned Incan citadel on an expedition to the region in 1911.

The pre-Columbian site is thought to date from the 15th century and is located more than 2,400 metres above sea level in the Peruvian Andes.