Crowds cheer historic procession

Alderman David Brewer is the new Lord Mayor

Crowds watched the annual Lord Mayor's Show on Saturday - a pageant that has been part of London's calendar for the past 783 years.

Nearly 6,000 people, and a camel, took part in the parade through the City, which attracts huge crowds and culminates in a fireworks display.

The parade has kept going through the plague, wars and the Blitz.

Insurance broker turned Alderman David Brewer also swore his allegiance to the Queen as the new Lord Mayor.

He replaces Michael Savory in the unpaid role, the aim of which is to promote the City of London at home and abroad as the leading international financial and business centre.

The first Lord Mayor's Show was held in 1215 and has featured in a Canaletto painting, a Hogarth drawing and the James Bond novel Dr No.

This year nearly 6,000 people are taking part, including 2,000 military personnel, more than 300 vehicles, 60 floats, 20 marching bands and 20 carriages, ending with a fireworks display.

Lady Chichester's Bactrian camel Therese also took part, after undergoing special training to cope with crowds and noise on the parade ground at Tidworth, Wiltshire.

The procession through the Square Mile began at 1055 GMT at Mansion House, the Lord Mayor then stopped at St Paul's Cathedral at 1210 GMT to be blessed before heading to the Royal Courts of Justice to swear allegiance to the Queen.

Roads around the Square Mile are closed while the procession continues.