A TAILOR took on an unexpected role in the Olympics when his skills were sought for last-minute alterations to athletes' outfits.

Michael Wood, owner of Michael's Tailoring and Alterations in Leyton, is more used to stitching suits and dresses in his trade but turned his hand to boxing shorts, tracksuits and running gear after getting a phone call out of the blue just two weeks before the Games began.

Mr Wood, who runs his business out of the old town hall in Ruckholt Road, was called by Sweden's Olympic team manager Eva Christensson who needed the tracksuits of her athletes' opening ceremony uniforms altered.

After he did the job she brought Mr Wood and his colleagues sporting outfits to adapt to fit the athletes better or to cover up logos on outfits featuring too many of them, even bringing in the King of Sweden's trousers, which needed shortening.

Now dozens of Olympians are wearing Mr Wood's altered outfits after the Swedish team passed Mr Wood's number on to the Irish team and Adidas, including British boxing hope Anthony Ogogo, whose waistband was too wide.

Mr Wood said: "At first I thought it was a joke but when I got the clothes I realised they were being serious.

"It was a shock, it was a happy shock though. It was a challenge because we had to think of ways to cover up logos and things without compromising the aerodynamic nature of the outfits, which are designed to shave off seconds in swimming and running competitions.

"It would be fantastic if one of them won a medal, I would feel a bit of pride that we could have helped with that."

Mr Wood's only regret is not being offered the chance to alter any of the table tennis players' uniforms, representing Essex in the sport himself. But he said the experience has helped his business during the recession.

"It was a boost for us because I think a lot of other people are not having such a good time, especially the shops on the High Road - it's quite quiet which is disappointing as they'd hoped to benefit from the Olympics more."

Shopfronts in Leyton were improved to the tune of £400,000 by Waltham Forest Council prior to the Games but traders have complained that tourists are being directed to Stratford and West Ham underground stations, not Leyton.

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