London locals create personal tourism campaign that bests official videos

A pair of Londoners enlisted the help of dozens of locals - including Dermot O'Leary - in an attempt to persuade a friend to visit the city.

Tim Benzie and Paul Joseph made this quirky film featuring dozen the city’s top attractions in the hope of convincing Tim's niece, who lives in Australia, to visit the capital.

The pair enlisted the help of members of the public, as well celebrities including television presenter Dermot O’Leary, to join their DIY tourism campaign highlighting what it is that makes London great.

Their niece Emma and her boyfriend, who live in Brisbane, has been planning to visit in November but recently delivered said they were considering going on a cruise instead.

“We thought we’ll have to make a campaign video for London and send it to her so she doesn’t have any choice in the matter,” explained Paul Joseph. “We wanted to show them things you would only find in London.”

The resulting film features everyday folk from market traders to Italian exchange students and was shot during the recent sunny weather.

“We had a crazy day walking all around the West End,” said Mr Joseph. “People were coming up and wanting to have their photo taken with us. We were getting a lot of attention.”

The pair managed to recruit Dermot O’Leary by standing in the crowd at the Iron Man 3 premiere in Leicester Square. At one point, Robin Windsor and Karen Hauer from Strictly Come Dancing also beckon enthusiastically at the camera.

“It was difficult on a windy day to co-ordinate filming of the cable car so that Canary Wharf would strategically appear in the background,” Mr Joseph.

As they travelled around the capital - from Hyde Park, to the Columbia Road market and Trafalgar Square - they carry a poster with the slogan “It’s got to be London” everywhere they go.

The film, posted on YouTube, was sent to the Emma this morning and the pair are hopeful that their unique snapshot of the city will ensure the capital sees at least one extra visitor this winter.