LHCb Vertex Locator prototyping, testing and production

LHCb is the experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) dedicated to the study of CP violation in the B-system. Its silicon vertex detector, named VELO for VErtex LOcator, will precisely reconstruct the primary pp interaction vertex, the displaced B-decay vertex and tracks originating from them. The use of the VELO in the LHCb trigger together with its operation in a harsh radiation environment puts additional constraints on the design. The project is soon entering the production phase. Recent results on the tests of prototype modules and components are presented with a focus on the sensor and front-end chip performance.