Homeless tour guides are showing tourists the grittier side of London life. The idea – the brainchild of Unseen Tours – allows visitors to the capital to see the streets of Shoreditch, Covent Garden, London Bridge, Mayfair and Brick Lane from, well the streets.

It’s an initiative that everyone at CD-Traveller towers supports. By taking a tour of London with a homeless person, not only are you are helping put a homeless person in employment (the guides, who are given history lessons and help with public speaking, get 60 percent of the cost of the ticket plus a monthly travel card or mobile phone allowance), but you’re seeing the real London. For let’s face it:  London is pretty, but it is also gritty.

For the full lowdown on the tours , visit www.sockmobevents.org.uk