The giant inflatable Donald Trump 'baby' blimp has taken off over Parliament Square for a second time, as thousands of people were preparing to take to the streets in protest at the US president's official state visit to the UK.
The 20ft blimp took off on Tuesday morning on the second day of Mr Trump’s UK visit.
The blimp, which can be flown up to 100ft in the air, depicts the US president wearing a nappy and clutching a mobile phone.
It coincides with the main demonstration against the president’s trip today, with as many as 250,000 activists expected to march from Trafalgar Square to Downing Street.
The Trump blimp was previously granted permission to fly during his visit to the capital last July.
At the time Mr Trump said: “I guess when they put out blimps to make me feel unwelcome, no reason for me to go to London”.
This year, the Trump Baby team, which is part of the Stop Trump coalition, said the blimp would only be flown if a crowdfunding target of £30,000 was met to support charities.
Organisers announced the target was reached on Sunday and raised it to £50,000 to give the charities an "even bigger boost".
As Mr Trump arrived, a huge security operation was launched in the capital, with Scotland Yard placing streets surrounding Buckingham Palace and Downing Street in “lockdown” with around 10,000 police officers deployed in a £25 million operation.
Thousands of activists are expected in central London today as the US president meets Mrs May, although the police operation will mean they cannot demonstrate outside the entrance to Downing Street.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is gearing up to speak at the demonstration, which has been planned to coincide with the US President’s talks with the Prime Minister.
The team behind the blimp said they received permission to deploy the inflatable from the Greater London Authority, headed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and the Civil Aviation Authority.
Ajuub Faraji, a Trump blimp "babysitter", has said: "Trump is a dangerous, divisive demagogue and we're thrilled that the public have put their hands in their pockets to support groups fighting the impacts of his policies.
"Trump will try his best to avoid the public on his trip, but with Trump Baby flying we're sending a very clear message of solidarity to those affected by his despicable politics - and saying loud and clear that the US president doesn't deserve the red carpet treatment being given to him by the Government."
On Saturday, the group behind the blimp projected a 50ft image of a baby Mr Trump on to the cliffs at Dover in Kent.
