Birthplace of David Beckham becomes London's first Borough of Culture

. Credit: .

The east London birthplace of David Beckham and 90s boy band East 17 today became the capital’s first Borough of Culture.

Labour-controlled Waltham Forest was awarded the title and a prize of £1.35m funding after a contest run by London mayor Sadiq Khan.

Brian Harvey, from boy band East 17 Credit: PA

Waltham Forest, which includes Leyton, Walthamstow and Chingford, will assume the mantle of London Borough of Culture in 2019.

Another Labour borough, Brent, in north west London, will take over in 2020.

Waltham Forest’s plans include a ‘waist high carpet of light molecules’ on Walthamstow Marshes and a celebration of Pakistani fashion.

The bid was backed by Blur’s Damon Albarn, photographer David Bailey and singer Fleur East.

The competition, inspired by the UK City and European Capital of Culture schemes, attracted entries from 22 of London’s 32 boroughs.