Tower Hamlets Council (THC) is considering legal action against London 2012 organisers, following a decision to remove the borough from the marathon route.

Last month, the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) revealed marathon events would start and finish in The Mall. However, THC claims LOCOG acted unlawfully in changing the route and has now sought a judicial review to overturn the decision.

The council also accused organisers of 'chipping away' at Tower Hamlets' involvement in the Games, with basketball and walking events also no longer taking place in the borough. Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman said: "We believe that LOCOG has acted unlawfully in re-routing the Olympic marathon.

"We're concerned that Tower Hamlets will be little more than a glorified thoroughfare between the City of London and the Olympic Park."