Taxi drivers took 6,000 children with life-threatening illnesses on a "magical tour" from east London to Disneyland in Paris.

The convoy of cabs, which stretched for up to five miles. set off from The Pelligon venue at Canary Wharf on September 20 for a two-day round trip.

It is the 29th year that London’s cabbies have taken children and their families for a trip.

Called the Magical Taxi Tour, the convoy was driven by members of the City’s livery company for London’s cabbies, The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers.

The drivers collected children from their homes or from hospitals where they are being treated — the convoy travelled to Dover to board a ferry to Calais, then on to Paris.

They were escorted by City of London police outriders to Dover, then by the French Gendarme Nationale to Paris.

Fundraising events through the year financed the trip at venues like Canary Wharf’s The Pelligon, at South Dock, which sponsor each taxi.

Sponsors include livery companies, businesses and organisations which make the event possible.

The drivers each give up their time freely for the annual outings, which in the past have included trips for children from deprived backgrounds to the seaside and one year to Buckingham Palace.

The breakfast send-off at Canary Wharf was attended by the Sheriffs of the City while The Master of the cabbies’ Worshipful Company, Daniel Heath, cut the ribbon as the convoy got under way.

The children were taken around Disneyland on Saturday then had a gala dinner and disco. For some it was their first trip in a taxi and first time abroad.

Some cabbies have been on as many as 28 trips over the years, equal to driving 19,000 miles and missing 140 days off work.

Phil Davis, who organises the annual venture, was also celebrating his 50th year driving London cabs, now on his 20th taxi since he began in 1974.

But they tell you that the “magical event” each year is worth time off as it brings so much joy to the children.