THE Lorelles, a three-piece girl band from Bow helped mayor of London Boris Johnson launch his cultural strategy at City Hall last week.

The group, who perform covers of songs including the Scissor Sisters’ Filthy/Gorgeous and represented the East End in the finals of this years Rhythm of London competition, performed at the launch during which Mr Johnson called on the Government not to turn away from the arts.

Mr Johnson said London has long been a magnet for talent, new ideas and artistic excellence and, as the reality of public funding cuts takes hold, he called on Government and business not to forget that London’s creative economy currently generates �18 billion a year.

He said: “London’s arts and cultural organisations already do a great job at fundraising, but they can’t be expected to defy the laws of economic gravity in a prolonged downturn and in the face of necessary austerity measures.

“Creative thinking and innovation is vitally important to the health and wealth of this great city and that is exactly why I am advocating through my Cultural Strategy that continued support and investment in the creative economy is crucial to sustaining the wellbeing of London and the nation.”

Launched last Friday, the Mayor’s Cultural Strategy aims to recognise the significance of the cultural sector in ensuring that London remains one of the great world cities, at a time of economic uncertainty and rapid change.