Vessels fighting for place in Royal flotilla

Nearly 1,000 applicants will be selected to form the ceremonial armada which will float down the Thames next June.

Organisers said yesterday they expect to take around two months to decide who makes the grade and this will be followed by 25 rehearsals ahead of the big day.

The massive procession is expected to draw vast crowds and will cost up to £10m to stage unless financiers secure a £2m VAT rebate.

Boats representing each Commonwealth country and every county in Britain will be rowed, sailed or motored along the river, from Hammersmith to Greenwich.

The royal barge will travel from Putney to Tower Bridge while an “Avenue of Sail”, between London Bridge and Greenwich, will see vessels more than five and a half metres tall moored on the bank.