London 2012: Tube use record broken three times in succession

The record for the most number of people using London Underground in one day was broken three days running in the first week of the Olympic Games.

Transport for London said 4.4 million passengers used the Tube on Friday.

That broke the figure of 4.31 million set on Thursday, which surpassed the record set on Wednesday, when 4.25 million used the network.

In the same week last year, daily Tube passenger numbers were about 3.8 million.

The previous busiest day in the Tube's history was 9 December 2011, when Christmas shoppers helped raise the figure to 4.17 million, according to Transport for London.

There have also been record figures for people using the cycle hire scheme and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR).

The DLR carried over 500,000 passengers on Friday, over 70% more than normal levels.

Meanwhile, London Overground carried 2.86 million people last week - a 27% increase on normal weeks.

The Barclays Cycle Hire scheme broke its previous record with almost 47,000 hires on 26 July - the most in one day since the initiative was launched more than two years ago.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "Sporting records are being smashed on a daily basis in London, and our world-famous Tube is breaking a few records of its own."

There had been a few delays in the first week of the Games, with problems on the Central Line and overcrowding at London Bridge station.

But London's Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy, said: "We're carrying these record numbers and keeping London moving and open for business because people are following our advice and planning their travel.

"What we're seeing is some people avoiding the peak hours and travelling at less busy times."