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To celebrate Tate Modern's 10th anniversary milestone, 150 local schoolchildren and some colourful characters from the London School of Samba led a birthday procession along the iconic gallery's riverbank home.

The flamboyant parade kicked off when Southwark Cathedral's bells rang 10 times to mark the momentous occasion.

Nicholas Serota turns his hand to cake-cutting

Excitedly waving flags and dancing, the children marched into the building’s Turbine Hall, where a special cake-cutting ceremony with Tate director Sir Nicholas Serota and a host of high profile artists awaited them.

Tracey Emin, Marc Quinn, Paul Smith and Yinka Shonibare were among those leading a raucous rendition of happy birthday as Sir Nicholas cut the Tate Modern-shaped cake and dished it out for all to enjoy.

Serota promises a bright future for Tate Modern, which is at the centre of £215 million expansion plans.

"There will be big developments here, just as there have been in the last 10 years," he explained, revealing that a new building will be added to the existing one alongside greater investment in performance art and photography.

"There are lots of young kids here and people who have come in this morning who have said 'Tate Modern changed my life', and I think it will continue to do so."

Tracey Emin tucked into a stack of gingerbread men (below), specially designed to symbolise the 45 million national and international visitors to the gallery.

Her thoughts turned to the children surrounding her, speculating on the impact the Tate’s art might have on their impressionable young minds.

"If you're very young and art is ingrained in your heart it means the world is going to be a better place," she gushed.

"It's a really good thing for sensibility, awareness, passion, sex – everything.

"Art can absolutely change the world. Tate Modern is like a giant cathedral for art – it's like a new religion and it’s beautiful."

Images © Kayleigh Angus

Visit Kirstie's blog or follow her on Twitter Check out our exclusive preview of No Soul for Sale, Tate Modern's celebration of its 10th birthday and Museums at Night this weekend. Don't forget to visit the Museums at Night homepage to find out what's going on near you.