Lord Mayor's Show returns to London streets after lockdown

Vincent Keaveny, becomes the 693rd Lord Mayor

Crowds have flocked to the City of London to see the first Lord Mayor's Show since the coronavirus pandemic.

The parade, which dates back to the 13th Century, has seen 128 floats parade from Guildhall to the Royal Courts of Justice.

It was cancelled last year for the first time since 1852 when it made way for the Duke of Wellington's funeral.

Campaigners from Extinction Rebellion blocked the route holding a sign reading "Cop has failed".

City of London Police said it had arrested " a number" of protesters and was in the process of removing the blockade.

Extinction Rebellion have blocked the route to protest the results of the Cop 26 meeting

The procession marks the first public engagement for the new Lord Mayor of the City of London, Vincent Keaveny.

Mr Keaveny, the 693rd Lord Mayor, must travel to the Royal Courts to swear allegiance to the Crown before taking up his role.

The parade dates back to the 13th Century

The Lord Mayor's Show began in 1215 as a river pageant on the Thames.

King John created a Royal Charter that year which allowed the city to choose its own mayor every year, instead of having a sheriff appointed by the king.

Crowds returned to London to watch the first Lord Mayor's Show in two years

Nowadays the Lord Mayor is the head of the City of London Corporation, the governing body of the Square Mile.

The role is separate from the mayor of London, who sits as head of the Greater London Authority.

The Honourable Artillery Company is the second oldest military corps in the world

Full-size model elephants, Japanese drummers, a horse-drawn bus and the tallest fire engine in Europe have been included on the floats at this year's parade.

The Lord Mayor's state coach, which also featured, is thought to be the oldest ceremonial vehicle in the world still in regular use.

Many wore colourful costumes in the parade behind the Lord Mayor