Work on the 2012 project was halted by police searching for human remains after a camper van was found buried in the River Lea.

Engineers for British Waterways were dredging near the Old Ford Lock at Hackney Wick when they discovered a submerged VM motor - a check on police computers later confirmed the vehicle was stolen in 2005.

Around 30 bodies have been found in the waters between Hackney Wick and Bow Bridge in the past three decades, according to BW.

Specialist divers from HQ in Wapping are searching the waters after the vehicle appeared empty and was raised.

The River Lea is being cleared for transport barges delivering equipment to the main Olympic construction site.