Merton scoops top prize at London New Year's Day Parade (From Your Local Guardian)

Merton scoops top prize at London New Year's Day Parade

1:02pm Friday 2nd January 2009 in

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Stiltwalkers dressed as the sun and moon, cycling reindeer and dancing trees earned Merton the award for the best float in London’s New Year’s Day Parade.

As its prize, the borough will take home £7,500 for local charities.

The float, called “It’s a Winter Wonderland in Merton’, highlighted the borough’s parks and open spaces - with lots of snow, elves and polar bears to give a seasonal twist.

A song accompanying the float was composed by Mitcham councillor Linda Kirby and performed by the children of Wimbledon Chase Primary School.

The prize money will be split between the Mayor of Merton’s charities - The Wimbledon Guild and Mitcham’s Vine Project. The good causes will also receive a share of street collections made during the event.

Mayor Martin Whelton said: “We are over the moon with our success. So much time and effort went into the float - it created a huge visual impact.”

The parade in Central London, which has been running for 23 years, attracted 10,000 performers and an audience of more than half a million people, according to the organisers.

The boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Hammersmith and Fulham finished second and third in the best float challenge. Merton also claimed the top spot with its entry in the competition three years ago.