Traditional beers such as London Pride and London Black Cab have also benefited from what's been dubbed "the London-effect, " that came with hosting the Olympics, celebrating the Jubilee and the royal wedding.

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Work for Parker pens, the 1997 redesign of the London black cab and the Adshel bus shelter are among his other designs but he says the InterCity 125 high speed train has had "the most impact on the general life of the public".

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Prosecutors claim Mr Worboys spent 18 months preying on young women he picked up outside nightspots across central London in his black cab.

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Yet, jump in a black cab -- London's iconic taxis -- anywhere in the city, and the driver will get you to where you want to go via the shortest possible route.

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