Plans to establish a learning, research and innovation centre in the Olympic Park, which will form part of the London 2012 legacy, have been unveiled by London mayor Boris Johnson and the government.

It is hoped that the provision of a specialist, inter-disciplinary centre of excellence at the heart of the Olympic Park will compliment the range of other facilities planned as part of the legacy for east London, including digital media, sport and science. In addition to attracting students and academics from across the world, the new education facility is designed to act as a catalyst for further regeneration as part of the London 2012 legacy plans.

Johnson said: "The 2012 legacy planning provides a crucial opportunity to stretch our thinking to the limits about how we exploit the investment we are making in east London. We have already laid out the building blocks in our Legacy Masterplan and now we must provide inspirational detail to bring it alive. "If we get it right, I can see the Olympic Park become a world-renowned hub for research and learning in sport, science and green technologies. I am absolutely committed to making this proposal a top political priority and I will listen to all ideas and do all I can to remove any barriers to its delivery."