THE Mayor of Newham has called for the Olympic site to be run as a royal park.

Sir Robin Wales believes the site, which borders Leyton, should become a multi-million pound royal park, in order to ensure the best possible legacy.

Sir Robin said: “The largest new park in London for a generation and the core of London’s Olympic Legacy deserves a strong identity and the highest possible national and international profile.

“It would symbolise the resurgence of East London.

“We want the best park authority in the country running the Olympic park and it has to be a Royal Park. It’s a no-brainer. Anything else would be a betrayal of the East End of London.”

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There won’t be another Olympics in East London.

“The spotlight of the world is on us. Let’s think ambitiously. A new Royal Park for East London would be a fitting legacy for the Games.

 “We want a world-class park that will attract visitors for many years to come, rather than a wasteland with kids kicking balls between coats.”

Sir Robin was speaking yesterday, three years until the 2012 Games begins.

He has yet to put forward a detailed suggestion to the Royal Parks or the Government. Newham Council estimates it will cost between £3m and £5m a year to run the site as a royal park.