AN East Lancashire firm is behind a fleet of buses which will celebrate the World Cup in the capital.

Bus and Coach World MD Robert Hilton, former chief of East Lancashire Coachbuilders, has proudly revealed they are behind the black fleet taking London by storm.

The 25 vehicles were shipped in to Blackburn for the company to complete the specialist paint job required for adidas’ campaign as part of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

This week the first 10 were unveiled in London but more Routemaster buses, one for each World Cup team, are still being worked on.

The rear-entry buses, built in Ireland, have been entirely painted black with images and straplines from the sportswear giant, which is an official sponsor.

Transport for London launched the advertising format as part of its ‘year of the bus’ celebrations, which commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Routemaster bus and the 100th anniversary of the first mass-produced motorbus.

Robert said: “We do quite a lot of business with the firm who built the buses and we were asked to get involved. We’ve had to keep it very hush hush until adidas unveiled the first buses. When we had finished the first 10, everyone was delighted.

“This is the biggest job we’ve had and we feel a part of the World Cup.”