The Thames cable car has been officially opened, as engineers won their battle to get it up and running before the Olympic Games.

The £45 million pound project will allow commuters and tourists to cross the river Thames between the O2 Arena and the ExCel exhibition centre at Royal Docks in London.

The cars travel 300 feet above the river, which gives a panoramic view of the city.

There had been controversy in allowing Emirates, the airline who funded the project, to appear on Tube maps.

A single trip on the cable car will cost £3.20, more than double the price of the equivalent journey by train.

It was launched by London mayor Boris Johnson, who said: "Get on this cable car immediately. It's beautiful, worth every penny and a stunning piece of engineering."

The car will help athletes and officials at the Games reach the O2, which will host basketball and gymnastics.