The population of Tower Hamlets is set to soar by a quarter over the next decade – making it the fastest-growing borough in the country.

The current population stood at 284,000 in 2014, the last year for which records are available, and is estimated to hit 355,000 by 2024.

That’s a rise of 71,000, which means the headcount in the East End will be comparable with major cities in England.

Office of National Statistics figures show the number of people living in London overall is set to soar to more than nine million, a rise of 13.7 per cent, during the same period.

The growth across the boroughs is mainly due to immigration and a high birth rate outstripping those leaving London and the UK.

Nine London boroughs, including neighbouring Hackney, are also in the top 10, along with Corby in Northamptonshire.