London 2012 volunteers to wear shocking pink and purple uniforms

London, Mar 17 (ANI): The uniforms for the London Olympics volunteers has been unveiled by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

He apologised for the lurid pink and purple coloured clothes hoping that people won't find it "ridiculous."

Johnson gathered 30 Team London Ambassadors together to showcase the new outfit.

Greeting some of the 8,000 'London Ambassadors', who will guide tourists around the capital, he said: "What do you think of the uniform?

"It's quite striking, isn't it? I hope you don't feel too ridiculous. We need to overcome our natural British reserve and be a little bit more like the Australians!" he said.

Some observers even described the outfits as looking more like Percy Pig sweets from Marks and Spencer.

They consist of a polo shirt with matching fleece, anorak and rucksack as well as a straw trilby with a pink ribbon, and are based on the Olympic 2012 logo, which MPs described as "childish" when it was unveiled five years ago, the Daily Mail reported.

Magenta, one of the official Olympic colours, has been chosen as the "way-finding" colour and will also feature on signposts for the games.

Greeting the volunteers at Wimbledon Station in South London, Johnson added: "I think the uniforms are beautiful. I have a rucksack in the same livery but it's not the same style.

"Whoever designed it needs a prize. It's very striking. It's positive. It's optimistic," he said.he mayor said he "wouldn't rule out" wearing his uniform to the games.

The outfits were received with brave faces from the Olympic ambassadors, who will be working as volunteers during the games to help visitors navigate London.

"The uniforms are interesting. I was a little surprised at first saw them, but at least we'll stand out. I can live with wearing pink and purple for a week," Andy Von Hirshberg, 29, a brand manager from London, said

The ambassadors were selected from more than 30,000 applicants and are aged between 14 and 85, speaking 40 languages between them.

Organisers said that they were looking for people with good communication skills as well as knowledge of the city.

They will volunteer for a maximum of five hours per shift and up to six consecutive days.

Also unveiled was the design for the Olympic information kiosks - also in shocking pink - which will be stationed at 43 locations in the city.

Both have been designed by M Integrated Solutions, based on guidelines set out by the the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

The mixed response echoes the public reaction to the controversial London 2012 logo after it was unveiled in 2007. (ANI)