A STATUE of a former Lord Mayor of London has been transformed into the Queen for a jubilee-themed gala today.

Organisers in Grangetown on Teesside chiselled away at the 6ft tall papier mache figure so it resembles Her Majesty, and plan to parade it in a supermarket trolley before the big event.

The statue of 17th-century Lord Mayor of London Sir William Turner, who was born in Kirkleatham on Teesside, was used six years ago when Grangetown entered a float in the Lord Mayor's show in the capital.

Bill Spowart, manager of the Grangetown Opportunities Centre, said: "We put him in the loft but, with it being the jubilee year, we decided to take him down and give him a sex change.

"We'll have children dressed as jesters and courtiers pushing the trolley. I'm sure the Queen won't be offended."

The gala takes place in Kingsley Road playing field between 11am and 3am.