Hit movie 28 Days Later was filmed in London

A new agency, called Film London, has been set up to promote film, media and culture in the Capital.

London locations have featured in a number of recent successful films, including Love Actually, Notting Hill and 28 Days Later.

Film London plans a number of initiatives to make the city more attractive to film-makers.

Last year, the film and media sector in London employed more than 100,000 people and generated more than �1.5 billion for the city's economy

Location library

The initiatives unveiled by Film London include the Filming London Partnership - a London-wide collaboration of boroughs, agencies and film locations committed to encourage filming in the capital.

A film production task force, led by Lord Puttnam, will work to tackle issues that affect film-making in London and a low budget digital feature film fund will encourage independent film-making.

In addition, a grant of �100,000 with be given to the Times bfi London Film Festival and Film London's library of locations images and information will be made available on-line in 2005.

London mayor Ken Livingstone said: "London must become a more film friendly city to compete with other major film-making cities around the world.

"Film brings economic benefits, boosts employment and helps attract tourists to the capital."

Adrian Wootton, chief executive of Film London, said: "London is one of the best places in the world to shoot.

"The Filming London Partnership addresses the perception that the production process in London can sometimes be difficult... and will ensure long-term improvements in the sector as well as economic and cultural benefits for Londoners."