Maldon residents will be lining the streets to cheer on a convoy of black cabs bearing 250 disabled and special needs children.

And the cabbies have arranged for their own special thank you to mark the 47th year the town has welcomed them by having a plane fly a message across the town in the early evening.

"Maldon people open their arms to us," said Alan Lebby, treasurer of the cabbies' organising committee.

This year's event takes place on Wednesday July 7 when youngsters from East London are brought to the town for a day of fun.

They will call at the George and Dragon pub, Ingatestone for refreshments before arriving in the town at around 1pm in 125 cabs and police escort.

After making their way through the High Street they will have lunch served by the WRVS at the Plume School where Year 10 students decorate the hall and look after the children.

The afternoon is then spent at the Promenade weather permitting.

"There are pony rides, Punch and Judy, falconry and we've even got Greek dancers," said Mr Lebby.

He said: "The children all get a gift which is worth approximately £15 as we have sponsorship from Maldon and outer areas, right through to inner London. This year we have £6,000."

Maldon mayor Paul Rew is looking forward to the youngsters coming and said: "It generates a nice feeling for the rest of the year."

Plume School teacher, Janet Drewell added: "It's an exhausting but very rewarding and satisfying day for everyone who is involved.

"The biggest thing is the impact on the students of the children who are less fortunate than themselves - for some it's a real eye-opener."

Cabbies day was originally started by the late Charlie Flemwell who brought five cab loads of underprivileged children to the town for an outing.

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