London 2012: Ambassador uniforms unveiled

The mayor described the uniforms as "quintessentially British"

Uniforms for the UK's 2012 ambassadors have been unveiled to the public for the first time.

They will be worn by thousands of volunteers during the Olympic Games.

London Mayor Boris Johnson met with 30 of the 8,000 Team London volunteers at Wimbledon station.

He revealed one of the ambassador 'pods' from which the volunteers will base themselves at more than 40 key locations across the capital to welcome visitors.

More than 3,000 more ambassadors will be based in Cardiff, Coventry, Essex, Eton Dorney, Glasgow, Kent, Newcastle, Manchester, Surrey and Weymouth & Portland.

As part of London's 'Summer Like No Other' programme it was also announced that a two-week public exhibition had been opened at City Hall to give Londoners and visitors a taste of how the capital will look and feel during Games time.

The exhibition will feature examples of the dressing and bunting that will be on display throughout the city, plus a number of examples of how high streets and towns across the 33 boroughs will be getting involved with the celebrations.

'Fantastic journey'

Mr Johnson said: "With their purple shirts and quintessentially British trilby hats there can be no doubt that our Team London Ambassadors will be a highly visible presence during the Games.

"These volunteers have come on a fantastic journey since we launched the quest to recruit our volunteer army and I am really proud of the public-spirited people we have on board."

The volunteers, from across London and beyond, have been through a lengthy selection process which saw more than 30,000 people apply.

They are aged between 14 and 85, speak over 40 languages between them and aim to help visitors make the most of their time in the locations.

Retired black cab driver Gerry Sheridan, 78, from Ilford, is volunteering alongside his wife Joan.

He said: "As a 15-year-old boy I was lucky enough to attend the 1948 Olympic Games after being given tickets by my school.

"It was only three years after World War II and the Games were something that gave us real encouragement during hard times.

"Having the Games back some 63 years later and being able to welcome people from around the world as a Team London Ambassador makes me feel so proud to be a Londoner."