CHARITIES supported by the Brent mayor won £5,000 in a competition at the annual New Year’s Day parade in central London.

As part of the parade, a competition called called The Let's Help London Challenge was held between 19 London boroughs with Brent coming third and winning £5,000 for charities including Brent Mind and Central Mosque of Brent.

More than half a million spectators lined the 2.2 mile route from Piccadilly to Parliament on New Year's Day.

This year, entries reflected the event's twin themes of the Olympic Games and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Brent's entry was decorated in Union Jack colours. The creation was inspired by Wembley Stadium and constructed by Brent Youth Volunteers.

Dancers from Brent Youth Volunteers and Willesden Green Mosque also took part, accompainied 18 dhol drummers from Alperton Community School, Stanley Avenue, Wembley.

Brent mayor, Councillor Aslam Choudry, said he was "really proud" of the young people involved on the day.