A local beauty spot has been revamped thanks to £170,000 paid out by the Metropolitan Police as compensation for using Wanstead Flats as a police base during the Olympics.

Controversial plans were announced last year by the City of London Corporation to spend the cash on rejuvenating Jubilee Pond on Wanstead Flats.

The cash is part of a £450,000 redevelopment of the pond which has seen the installation of temporary fencing, planting, disabled parking spaces and mixed recycling.

A natural play area has also been created from trees from nearby Epping Forest.

Gordon Haines, chairman of the City of London Corporation's Epping Forest Committee, said: “This is a major opportunity to improve the much-loved facilities here and the active role played by the local community in looking after this pond is very welcome."

Lakehouse Lake Project chairman Dennis Stone said: “We’re pleased to have had the opportunity to be involved and influence the project from beginning to end, from design drawings to site meetings.”