PANTO dame Berwick Kaler has joined the battle to attract new investment and jobs to York.

He has been interviewed for a film being made as part of the York Means Business campaign by Christopher David, of York-based Flash Frame Productions.

Speaking before the interview at York Theatre Royal, he said: “‘Having lived in York for over half my life it is a privilege to be associated with the York Means Business campaign and help to convince people this is, without a doubt, the best place to live and work in the country.”

Berwick became York’s Ambassador of the year at the Visit York Tourism Awards in April this year.

On collecting the award at the ceremony at York Racecourse, he made a passionate speech about his feelings that York was the best place to be.

He celebrates 31 years as York’s pantomime dame this year in Humpty Dumpty and is a familiar face to generations of panto fans across York, Yorkshire and much further afield.

The film aims to give extra ammunition to the inward investment agency york.england.com as it seeks to persuade businessmen to relocate their companies and families to the city.

Mr David has filmed at different locations across the city as he seeks to rebut the southern stereotype of a northern city, including the university, St Peter’s School, York High School, the Museum Gardens, racecourse, the river and the Nestlé factory.

The film is set to be completed by next month.

Mr David, who has previously made a powerful anti-joyriding film for The Press’s Live Now, Drive Later campaign, has said he is making the new film because he believes in the York Means Business message equally as passionately.

The campaign aims to highlight the positives in the York economy and support the business community during the recession.