A mobile swimming pool located on London's South Bank during August gave more than 2,200 people the opportunity to have free swimming lessons.

Located between the London Eye and the Oxo Tower Wharf and boasting poolside amenities such as bathing huts, deckchairs and ice cream and refreshment stalls, the pool was launched on 6 August by Olympic Gold Medallist Rebecca Adlington and remained open unti the end of the month.

Operated by sports trust Greenwich Leisure (GLL), lessons were provided by some of the top swimming teachers in the country, and a coaching session was held by Beijing Olympians Cassie Patten, David Davies and Keri-Anne Payne.

Andrew Clark, swimming development manager at GLL, said: "The pool was situated in an area of London where opportunities to swim for children and families are limited.

"The pool has had a fantastic response from local people since it opened and we are delighted to have been able to introduce the physical and recreational benefits of swimming to many Londoners this summer."

The mobile pool scheme, devised by Total Swimming, is part of the British Gas Pools 4 Schools Summer Camp initiative in association with Coin Street Community Builders and GLL.

Photograph: Beijing Olympians Cassie Patten, David Davies and Keri-Anne Payne coaching some young visitors to the pool