Scores of black taxis and their drivers descended on a ferry port carrying some very important passengers on a special journey.

The cabbies travelled in convoy to the Port of Dover bringing groups of sick and terminally ill children to Disneyland Paris.

The annual trip across the Channel to see Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Cinderella and their friends took place at the weekend.

The 28th trip was organised by The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers, which plans the outing every year, and set off from Canary Wharf in London on Friday before boarding the P&O ferry in Dover.

Every vehicle was sponsored and fundraising events are held throughout the year to ensure the trip can go ahead.

But it could not happen without the cabbies who give up their time to drive the children to the theme park and then take the youngsters around.

The convoy, which can reach up to five miles long, is so large police outrider escorts are used both in Britain and France.

A gala Disney dinner and disco took place on Saturday evening as well.

The Magical Taxi Tour has now supported some 6,000 children visit Disneyland and for many it would have the first trip in a cab and first trip abroad.