A cabbie has won an award for dressing his taxi as a fluffy pink rabbit.

Steven Bell, 43, of Fairlight Avenue, Chingford, was presented with The Best Dressed Taxi Award for the third time by charity The London Taxi Drivers Fund for the Underprivileged Children (TLFUC) during a trip to Southend.

Each year convoys of taxis decked out in balloons and banners set off from central London to take disadvantaged children for a fun day out.

Mr Bell said: "I started decorating the taxi nine months ago. I used polycarbon materials to make the ears and lightweight plastics for the rest.

"My wife and I spent 11 hours putting the finishing touches on the day before the trip. It was quite a Herculean task.

"The best thing about doing this is seeing the children's faces. Loads of children wanted to ride in it."

Mr Bell took pupils from Joseph Clarke School, Vincent Road, Highams Park, to the Essex seaside town.

"The costume held out really well. When we got to Southend one of the ears was a bit droopy but nothing fell off while we were travelling there," he said.

Three years ago Mr Bell first won the award for dressing his taxi as a shark, then again the following year for his World Cup-themed cab.

Mr Bell also took children to the TLFUC Mad Hatters Tea Party which was held at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, central London, in January.

For information visit www.tlfuc.org.uk.