The London Borough of Newham is situated in East London and was formed from the two boroughs of East and West Ham in 1965. It is bounded by the River Thames in the south, the River Lea in the west, the River Roding in the east and Wanstead Flats in the north. Located five miles east of the City of London, Newham is home of the Royal Docks and sustained heavy bombing during World War Two.