An East End charity has scooped a �15,000 grant to create one of the leading floats for this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show.

The Bromley by Bow Centre in St Leonards Street was awarded the grant from the City of London Corporation to take part in the parade on November 12.

The centre’s Arteast group, which works with men and women with learning disabilities, is creating a ‘ghost ship’ themed float called the HMS London.

The team is constructing a decorative ship-wreck, which will carry real and imaginary sea and river creatures with glowing eyes and sparkling scales along with pirates.

On-board and on foot will be traditional and modern musicians and colourful characters from London’s history.

Artist Jane Lack said: “I’m excited about being on TV. I loved drawing pictures for the float and making the octopus.”

The centre chief executive, Rob Trimble, said: “I really hope residents will come to the City and support the group and cheer their hard work.”

The 684th Lord Mayor of London will follow in the footsteps of his predecessors and embark on a procession from Mansion House to the Royal Courts of Justice via St Paul’s Cathedral,

Helping out with the float are also pupils at Phoenix School, Bow Road, for children with language and communication difficulties along with members of the Bubble Club, a Whitechapel nightclub for people with leaning difficulties.