An official launch party was put on at Victoria Park at the weekend to celebrate the park’s �12million restoration ahead of London’s Olympic Games.

Saturday’s family party featured activities and entertainment celebrating the park’s 170 year history including a variety of live music, dance performances and workshops.

Mobile entertainment was provided by Victorian explorers, Edwardian circus magicians, and Punch and Judy.

There were also novel ways to get about, including rickshaws, canoes and a horse and cart.

Other activities were in the form of a treasure hunt, fancy dress competition, coconut shy, skateboarding tutorials and more.

The Friends of Victoria Park group, who campaigned for a fence to be put up around the new children’s play area, displayed their design suggestions for the fence during the event.

Tower Hamlets council have agreed in principle to the fence after parents raised safety concerns.

The restoration was funded by the council and the Heritage Lottery.