Boating has returned to the lakes in east London’s Victoria Park for the first time in 30 years in the wake of the Olympics.

A scheme to hire pedalos and rowing boats has been set up by Tower Hamlets council with a fleet of 40 vessels available for hire by the public, seven days a week.

“The country has been thrilled by the success of our Olympic rowers,” said Mayor Lutfur Rahman.

“We don’t expect people to be rowing quite as fast as the medal winners, but this will encourage people to get out onto the lakes—in a more leisurely fashion.”

Both the East and West lakes at Vicky Park have now been restored as part of a �12 million regeneration scheme earlier this year in the lead-up to the 2012 Games.