Sadiq Khan said he will look to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games back to London if he is re-elected as the capital’s mayor.

The Labour candidate pledged to work with “leading figures” to establish an exploratory committee into a London bid for the 2036 or 2040 games.

If the bid was successful, London would become the first city to host four summer games in the modern Olympic era.

Mr Khan said he would aim to make it the most “sustainable” summer Olympics ever hosted, by using existing venues built for the 2012 games and other sports facilities.

“Exploring a bid for the 2036 or 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games is the ultimate demonstration of my plan to build a brighter future for London after the pandemic,” Mr Khan said.

“Not only would future London Olympics bring the world’s finest sportsmen and women to London, it would help fast track much needed green infrastructure projects such as Crossrail 2 and the Bakerloo Line extension, bringing with them long term jobs and investment.

“My ambition is for London to host the most sustainable games ever, showcasing the Green New Deal for London with investment in low carbon projects, action to clean up London’s air and showcasing the city’s status as the world’s first national park city to huge amounts of international tourists.”

The London 2012 Games were centred around the Olympic Park in east London.

Mr Khan, who has been the Mayor of London since 2016, is widely expected to maintain the Labour’s hold on City Hall in the May 6 elections.