The occasion marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scout movement, which celebrates its centenary this year. Courtney, from the London Eye said: ‘It’s wonderful to have so many Scouts of different nationalities promoting the message of peace that was so important to the Founder of Scouting, Baden-Powell.’

The Scouts involved in the event represent only a fraction on the 28 million members worldwide, but have taken part in a wide range of peace projects, known as 'Gifts for Peace', including helping to rebuild Lebanon after the recent conflict, running a Scout group in a Hong Kong prison and planting a forest in North Korea.

Sennie Oh from South Korea, who appeared on BBC Breakfast TV said: “In Korea we are taking practical action to build a more tolerant world by planting trees to reduce soil erosion. We are showing solidarity with the population of North Korea by travelling to their city and helping them plant trees as well.”

Wael Salha , a Scout from Lebanon who is involved in the Phoenix project that is designed to rebuild Southern Lebanon after the recent war, added: “Our gift for peace is to dispose of the rubbish and wreckage left over from the bombings, clean up local land and beaches, and reconstruct houses and schools. We also give human support to children and adults who have lost one or more members of their families.”

BBC Breakfast, Radio Essex, BBC Radio London and the Financial Times were just some of the media who turned out to see Scouts ride high above the London skyline.

Go to the Gifts for Peace page to find out more about the projects.