11:42

Aerial view of the Millennium Dome structure with masts and roof structuure in place. Photograph: qaphotos.com/Alamy Stock Photo

London’s O2 arena, once known as the Millennium Dome, is to be turned into a training facility for NHS staff working at the new Nightingale field hospital set up nearby.



The 20,000 seater stadium, which was due to host acts including Snoop Dogg, the Pussycat Dolls and Whitesnake, will be used as an educational training facility. No patients will be treated on site.

Mobile phone company O2, which has a £125m naming rights deal for the east London venue, has handed over the keys until 29 June. The company said the NHS is not being charged a hire fee.