Westminster City Council (WCC) has approved planning permission for the Serpentine in London's Hyde Park to be used during the 2012 Olympic triathlon.

Under the plans submitted by the London Organising Committee of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), a 3,000-seat stand and pontoon are to be constructed. A 1,500m swim will kick off the triathlon event, constituting one lap of the Serpentine from the proposed pontoon on the north side of the lake.

The second element will comprise a 40km cycle race, before athletes return for a 10km run - four laps - around the Serpentine to complete the event. Meanwhile, WCC has also approved LOCOG's plans for the 10km marathon swimming event to be held in the Serpentine - constituting six laps of 1.67km.

WCC planning and city development committee chair Alistair Moss said: "Hyde Park will be a first class backdrop for the triathlon and marathon swim as it will allow sports fans to get really close to the action as the athletes run, cycle and swim through the heart of our capital city." Image: Jamie101