AN ARMY lookout has been created on a Brentford tower block to watch out for potential terrorist attacks during the Olympics.

Boulton House, the tallest of six blocks of flats on the Brentford Towers estate, will be used throughout the Games to scan the skies over London.

A small team of Army personnel have been based on top of the 23-storey building, the tallest in the borough, since yesterday and will remain in place until the Olympics are over.

Unlike the tower block in Leytonstone, where the decision to house surface-to-air missiles sparked a High Court trial, no weapons will be stationed atop the building.

Army staff, who will work three shifts a day in groups of four, will be equipped only with high-powered binoculars and thermal imaging cameras.

Boulton House is part of ring of 14 high-rise buildings around the capital being used as lookouts during the Games.

Councillor Steve Curran, cabinet member for housing and education, said: "We are happy to help the Ministry of Defence in its work to keep London safe during the Games.

"I'd like to reassure residents there will be no disruption to their every day lives, and I hope they are reassured by the Army's very small presence in Brentford."

The Chronicle reported in May about plans for a temporary Army camp in Feltham, housing 800 Olympic security staff.

The existing Ministry of Defence (MOD) site in Elmwood Avenue, near Feltham Pond, is being used as a base for military staff helping with security at west London Olympic venues.

Hounslow Cavalry Barracks is also being used to house about 400 of the 9,500 military officers being deployed to the capital during the Games, which begin on July 27.

Boulton House was the subject of huge controversy recently when councillors approved plans for illuminated advertising on top of the building despite fierce opposition from local residents and bosses at nearby Kew Gardens.

Denis Browne, chairman of Brentford Community Council's planning committee, said he could see no problem with the building's roof becoming an Army lookout but was still incensed at the decision to use it for advertising.