A six-metre high blimp depicting US President Donald Trump is set to be launched over London's Parliament Square as protests against the presidential visit continue.
The blimp, which depicts Trump as a baby wearing a nappy and clutching a mobile phone, was given the green light by the Greater London Authority.
Organisers of the crowd-sourced inflatable say that while Trump won't see the blimp in person, as his visit does not take in the historic Palace of Westminster, it's hoped it would come to the attention of the Twitter-loving president online.
Trump referred to the blimp in an interview the The Sun newspaper, saying it's part of the reason why he doesn't feel welcome in the capital.
"I guess when they put out blimps to make me feel unwelcome, no reason for me to go to London," Trump told the tabloid.
Several anti-Trump protest groups are expected to meet at Portland Place on Friday as the president has a working lunch with Theresa May at her country residence Chequers.
Lucy D'Orsi, who is in charge of the policing operation for the visit, said she had seen discussion about police "restricting the right to protest", and added the force was aiming to strike a balance between that and public safety.
One group - Together Against Trump - wanted to use a double-decker bus as a platform for speeches but were refused.
"We made a decision that by allowing this vehicle into such a heavily congested space was unsafe, and would have posed an unnecessary risk to the large crowd that is expected," deputy assistant commissioner D'Orsi said.
She added: "Central London will be very busy and congested (on Friday) based on figures the organisers have shared with us, there will be a lot of people coming to protest, which is their right and this principle remains at the heart of our policing operation."
With Mr Trump set to travel to Scotland on Friday evening after meeting the Queen at Windsor Castle, a rally is planned for Glasgow's George Square.
Australian Associated Press
