A coroner has warned that further deaths could occur at a disused dock where a Catford student drowned last year if precautionary steps are not taken.

Jonathan Adebanjo, 23, was within a metre of the wall at Shadwell Basin, a popular bathing spot in east London, despite swimming being prohibited, when he disappeared under the water on July 23.

His body was discovered the next day.

An inquest conducted in November by assistant coroner Edwin Buckett at Poplar Coroner's Court concluded that he "drowned as a result of an accident".

The coroner has now shared his concerns around the basin in a report sent to Tower Hamlets Council, the authority responsible for the area, warning that "there is a risk that future deaths will occur" unless warning signs, which Adebanjo's mother described as no bigger than a smartphone, are made more visible.

The report reads: "I am concerned that the signs indicating that swimming is prohibited at the location should be larger and more obvious.

"The content of the signs should indicate the reason why swimming is dangerous, namely the poor visibility, the presence of the undercurrent and the presence of rubbish and discarded items below the surface."

"In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe that you have the power to take such action."

Mr Buckett stressed that in the signage can be easily missed in busy periods.

The report also highlights the lack of CCTV in the area and the presence of an undercurrent in the water.

Jonathan had been swimming with friends at the basin, where scores of others had met that day to cool off during the summer heatwave.

He descended into the water down a ladder on the dock wall, and was "bopping up and down" until a friend shouted "Banjo has gone under," the inquest heard.

Jonathan, an illustration student at London's University of the Arts, was eventually recovered by divers the following day on July 24 at around 9am - about 16 hours after he entered the water.

At the inquest his mother, Joyce Adebanjo, said her son was a "nice guy" and a "peaceful person".

She is now in contact with other drowning victims' loved ones, campaigning to prevent further deaths and improve signage around the river.

She said: "A smartphone was bigger than the signage there.

"Nothing has been done to prevent these deaths in the most dangerous part of the river."

A spokesperson for the Council said: "We are deeply saddened that this tragic incident occurred and our thoughts and condolences are with Jonathan Adebanjo's family and friends. We will look at the recommendations of the inquest.

"For many years, the council has taken many steps to make Shadwell Basin safer. This has included mounting numerous visible signs around the basin warning the public against swimming in the basin. Fences were also installed around the edge of the basin.

"More recently, and in light of the area becoming a meeting point for many during periods of hot weather, we stepped up patrols by Tower Hamlets enforcement officers in the area and issued several social media and digital communications warning against swimming in the basin during these periods."