Rowing boats and pedalos were reintroduced to the lakes of Victoria Park on Monday after a 30 year absence.

The fleet of 40 boats will be available to members of the public to hire seven days a week, and have been returned to the Park’s waters in one of the measures adopted by Tower Hamlets council to promote the parks on offer in the borough.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman was present to welcome the return of boats to the Park’s lakes. He said: “The country has been thrilled by the success of our Olympic rowers. We don’t expect people to be rowing quite as fast as the medal winners, but this will hopefully encourage people to get out on to their local lake.”

Cllr Shahed Ali, cabinet member for the environment, added: “The council has restored the East and West lakes, and we want to make sure that they are used by as many people as possible. These are all ways in which people can take a fresh look at our parks.”