Volleyball by the Thames

It sends temperatures soaring at exotic beachside locations, from Bondi to Rio.

But now beach volleyball - the third most-watched sport at last year's Olympics in Athens - could be coming to the South Bank.

Last week the Evening Standard revealed plans to turn an area close to the London Eye into a temporary summer beach.

Now senior officials at the English Volleyball Association (EVA) say they would like to see the beach used for volleyball.

Mark Kontopoulous, EVA beach volleyball commission president, said: "It would be a great facility

for leisure and fun. We have lots of players all year round but there are no facilities in London. It would be a striking location and it would help the London 2012 Olympic bid."

Many of the association's members are from London, but the closest dedicated facility is near Oxford.

Mr Kontopoulous has written to South Bank Beach Ltd, which submitted proposals for the beach, saying a facility in the heart of the capital could be used by amateurs and professionals and would help London-based national champions such as Aaron Stolberg.

Mr Kontopoulous continued: "Having something in London would be fantastic. It would be a great way to promote the sport and we would also be looking at running some coaching."

The beach idea has been submitted to Lambeth council. It would see Hungerford Bridge coach park and Queen's Walk turned into a beach, with a café ¡nd bar, from July to September. The beach would be used by sunbathers during the day and for cinema screenings at night.