Tower Hamlets Council (THC) has slammed a decision to start and finish the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic marathons events in The Mall.

The authority accused the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) of breaking its promise to East End communities. Confirming the plans, LOCOG chair Sebastian Coe said: "This is one of the hardest decisions we have had to take - and we realise that this may be disappointing for Tower Hamlets.

"We have agreed with the leader of Tower Hamlets Council to develop a proposal creating other opportunities for the borough to be part of the Games." However, THC disputed Coe's claims that the matter had been resolved, saying that the 'other opportunities' were no different to activities previously on offer, such as the torch relay.

A THC spokesperson said: "This is not enough for the people of Tower Hamlets. They have been promised the opportunity to get involved with the greatest show on earth. "The route confirmed today gives Tower Hamlets residents all the inconvenience of the traffic and disruption for the Games, without any of the benefit."