London’s disabled swimmers have a new place to train after a club was launched in Mile End at the weekend.

Swimmers Amy Marren, James O’Shea and Susie Rodgers were among the guests at the launch of the latest venue at Mile End Park Leisure Centre, in Burdett Road. after they graduated from the London Disability Swimming Club to Team GB last year.

The facility is set to attract disabled athletes from across the capital, with the lure of training in the heart of one of the Paralympic host boroughs.

Its launch coincides with a drive across Tower Hamlets to promote participation in sport among disabled athletes, pioneered by former Paralympian gold medallist Giles Long MBE.

The programme includes the launch of a new membership card providing discounted access to sports facilities for disabled athletes, in an effort to provide “practical ways of promoting participation and performance within disability sport”.