TV presenter Claire Balding will be arriving at her next job in style – courtesy of The Tank Museum.

The BBC Sport presenter, host of this years Lord Mayors Show coverage, will arrive in London in a 62 tonne Challenger 1 Tank at the beginning of the historic parade.

Museum spokesman Nik Wyness said; “When the BBC discovered we were putting such a large vehicle in the parade, they wanted to come and see it for themselves.

“Claire Balding immediately decided that this would be a great way for her to make her entrance for the TV coverage – some people will do anything to get a ride in a tank!”

The Challenger 1, a veteran of Desert Storm in 1991 is normally found on display in The Museum. Painted in the colours in which it saw service, it will be manned by the crew that took it into action 13 years ago.

Whilst filming at the Museum last week, Claire Balding said; “We thought it would be great to make the most of this tank because one normally associates the Lord Mayors show with pomp, pageantry and elaborate carriages – not noisy, heavy hulking great tanks!”

She added; “By sheer coincidence, I actually know the man that commanded this tank during Desert Storm – it will be nice to meet him again at the show.”

The Challenger 1 will be joined by an 84 year old Rolls Royce armoured car to complete the Tank Museum line up. The Lord Mayors show will be broadcast live on BBC1, Saturday 13th November.

ENDS