The former Olympic champion says work must be done to stop pollution in the "iconic" River Thames.

Olympic rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave is calling on the government to tackle “pollution for profit” in the Thames, as 3,000 young rowers are set to take to the water in west London.

In a letter to Environment Secretary Steve Reed, the five-times gold medallist stressed the need to combat contamination of the river.

Sir Steve said: “It’s about the future of one of the world’s most iconic rivers. We won’t sit quietly while this catastrophe continues.”