MISSILES were set up on the banks of a reservoir this afternoon and will remain until the end of the Olympics.

The Rapier missile system appeared behind Waltham Way in Chingford along with three army officials today (July 12), as part of government plans to prevent terrorists attacking Olympic venues from the air.

The launcher on the banks of the William Girling Reservoir carries four missiles which have a 10-kilometre range, and will be guarded by army personnel for the duration of London 2012.

The site is one of six that are likely to become active this week before the athletes' Olympic Village opens this Sunday.

It comes just days after residents of Fred Wigg Tower in Montague Road, Leytonstone, lost a High Court battle to prevent the Ministry of Defence putting missiles on their block of flats during the same period.

The judge rejected their claim that they could become a target for terrorists.

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