London mayor pays tribute to city's animals
Mayor Khan's campaign aims to showcase the capital and reassure foreign nationals that they will always be welcome.
A new festive film has paid tribute to London's wide array of animals - from penguins and meerkats to dogs and cats - as well as the charities and organisations that care for them.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan teamed up with David Walliams for the film, which forms part of the wider #LondonIsOpen campaign to showcase the city and reassure more than one million foreign nationals living in London that they will always be welcome.
Mr Khan said: "As we draw close to Christmas, I want to highlight the good work our animal charities and attractions do in taking care of all these creatures, as well as all they do to add to the character and culture of the capital…
"Over the past few months, the London Is Open campaign has shown the best of our great city - a city of business, tech, creativity, sport, film, theatre, music and dance, so it's only fitting that we showcase our incredible, diverse animal kingdom."
David Walliam narrates the film's central poem, City of Animals, which highlights the contributions animals make to the city's charm and character. The video stars animals from a range of attractions across London, including Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, London Zoo, London Wetland Centre, Horse Guards Parade and St James' Park.
Commenting on his part in the film, David Walliams said: "I'm very proud to be associated with #LondonIsOpen, I'm a big supporter of the Mayor and the sentiment of this campaign. As an animal lover, I'm particularly happy to help spread this message alongside all of the onscreen furry and feathered stars of the film!"
Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.
