Iconic London black cabs go white for a trip Down Under

The London cab is to make an appearance Down Under - but coloured white rather than the traditional black. Credit: PA

The iconic London taxi is making a trip Down Under - but coloured white rather than the traditional black.

The London Taxi Company has exported a test sample of 98 white TX4 taxis to Perth, in Western Australia, where they will under go trials over the next few weeks.

The cars have been painted white to cope with the Perth sunshine, as black absorbs and retains more heat.

If the trial goes well more cabs will be ordered, with the Australian state of Victoria expected to be the next area to take the UK taxis.

The export order is one of the first to be fulfilled since the relaunch of production by the London Taxi Company at its factory in Coventry, West Midlands, last month.