A temporary swimming pool while remain in place for a further 12 weeks, it has been announced.

Redbridge Council's cabinet member for culture and leisure, Cllr Joyce Ryan, confirmed at a meeting of full council last night that the pool in the grounds of Wanstead Leisure Centre will stay open until July 18, an extension of 12 weeks.

The 12-metre pool, which was used for training by Olympic swimmers at the 2012 games, was installed as part of London Mayor Boris Johnson's Make a Splash initiative.

Cllr Ryan said: “The pool has been very successful, being used by eight schools from the borough, and 550 children have had swimming lessons.

“Around 450 people use the pool every weekend, which is well above the normal numbers of usage for a temporary pool."

“We want our children to learn to swim, and the extension of this temporary pool will secure that for the near future. It is definitely not a bath in a shed, it is a great facility and it is brilliant to be able to see the pleasure on childrens’ faces.”