Cyclist shock at view from a London lorry cab

Cyclists in London are being invited to swap places with lorry drivers to see how difficult it can be to spot them on the road.

"Exchanging places" is funded by Transport For London and run by the Metropolitan police.

A ban on "unsafe lorries" in London, introduced as part of efforts to protect cyclists, has come into force on Tuesday.

Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) must now be fitted with side guards to prevent cyclists being dragged underneath, and safety mirrors.

Cyclist Philippa Brown who sat in a lorry cab as part in the police project, was clearly shocked that she could not see an officer on a bike approaching.

Each breach of the ban carries a maximum £1,000 penalty and repeat offenders risk losing their operating licences.