BORIS Johnson visited Ealing Studios last week to experiment with cutting-edge motion technology after announcing new investment in London’s creative industries. 

The visit to the UK’s longes- standing studios, where sections of ITV drama Downton Abbey is filmed, coincides with recently announced tax relief for UK TV and animation production.  

The mayor hopes to bring in £200m worth of investment and 1,000 new jobs to the creative industries and says he will invest £2m in Film London.

“We are at the dawn of a new golden age of TV production in London,” said Mr Johnson.  

He also visited the Imaginarium, a pioneering special-effects studio, which was opened in 2011 by actor Andy Serkis and producer Jonathan Cavendish, to play with a virtual camera. 

Imaginarium managing director Nicholas Taylor said: “Boris was absolutely up for trying on a motion capture suit, but I’m not sure his minders were happy about it!” 

London has the world’s third busiest film industry and, in 2010-11, film tax relief provided approx £150m of support.

The mayor hopes the investment drive will attract opportunities in foreign markets in the US, India, China and South America. 

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes said it was encouraging to see British television gaining recognition. 

"It’s time for London to fulfil its potential as the world leader that it’s destined to be in this field. Let’s make sure that all future Downtons are filmed on our turf,” said Mr Johnson.