Today VISITLONDON.COM and VisitBritain have launched an international search for London's Official Guest of Honour, who will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience London as never before. The capital city and its most famous residents and locations are rolling out the red carpet and have together created a city break made up of amazing magic moments.

In this special edition of Britain Calling, find out how you could become London's Official Guest of Honour;  top London & UK tips from British ballerina Darcey Bussell and Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton as well as how to plan your own Guest of Honour UK tour.

International search launched to find London's Official Guest of Honour

VISITLONDON.COM, the official Visitor Guide to the capital, together with the GREAT Britain campaign, have launched an international search to find London's Official Guest of Honour, who will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience London as never before. The capital city and its most famous residents and locations are rolling out the red carpet and have together created a city break made up of amazing magic moments.

The winning guest will be invited to London in February 2015 and will have the unique honour of opening Tower Bridge, the most famous bridge in the world and seeing a West End musical with international singing star Jessie J. Downton Abbey's butler Carson – actor Jim Carter – will provide the winner with afternoon tea at Lord's Cricket Ground; and the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon John Bercow MP, will take the Guest of Honour behind the scenes of the Houses of Parliament. The Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton will personally cook a meal for the Official Guest of Honour at one of the capital's best restaurants and both the world-famous singer and conductor, Plácido Domingo and British ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell, will take the winner to one of their favourite theatres in the world, the Royal Opera House. As part of the experience the Guest of Honour will fire the guns from HMS Belfast, walk the red carpet at a film premiere in Central London, and meet the English tennis star Tim Henman for a VIP tour of the All England Tennis Club, which hosts The Wimbledon Championships.

To apply to be London's Official Guest of Honour, entrants must go to Visitlondon.com/guest, submit a short film or image and in 70 words describe their perfect day in London. The closing date is 9th December 2014 and participants must be aged 18 and over. For all terms and conditions see the visitlondon.com  website.

High resolution images of celebrities and attractions are available for download here: http://bit.ly/13D1bM5

Twitter: #LondonGuest

Full release can be found at http:media.visitbritian.com    

Plan your own Guest of Honour tour! While only one lucky individual will take tea with Carson from Downton Abbey, and be cooked for by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton, you too can create your very own Guest of Honour tour of the UK! From living the Downton Abbey life to backstage at the Royal Opera House or scaling Tower Bridge, find out how at http:media.visitbritian.com.

Darcey Bussell's guide to London: The Official Guest of Honour will get to have a tour of the Royal Opera House in London with ballerina Darcey Bussell. Find out Darcey's favourite haunts in London and Britain at http:media.visitbritian.com. 

Jason Atherton's top tips to Britain: The Official Guest of Honour will get to enjoy a delicious meal cooked for them by hot London chef Jason Atherton. Find out Jason's favourite haunts in London and Britain at http:media.visitbritian.com.  

Media Contact:

Rebekah Clement, Media & PR Manager - Leisure Tourism, London & Partners
Tel + 44 (0) 20 7234 5861
Email: rclement@londonandpartners.com 

London & Partners Media & PR team
Tel +44 (0) 20 7234 5710
Email: press@londonandpartners.com