SPEED restrictions have been imposed on passenger and commuter boats using the River Thames.

The Port of London Authority has temporarily limited the speed of craft operating around Greenwich and central London to a maximum of 12 knots.

Boat operators and river users have met with the authority to agree updated operating rules for the river covering faster vessels such as catamarans which will come into force later in the year.

A spokesman for the Port of London Authority said restrictions were needed as a safety measure.

He said: "We have made this move because of a significant increase in the number of fast vessels on the Thames."