Johnson slams brakes on Olympic gravy train

London will have no Olympic gravy train pulling in to Beijing in August after mayor Boris Johnson announced a 1.2 million pounds cut to his city's hospitality budget during the Games in the Chinese capital.

Johnson has slashed that sum from the cost of hosting London House, a venue in Beijing intended to promote the 2012 Olympics during the August 8-24 Games.

Measures include axing plans to fly out 18 gourmet chefs trained by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who would have provided catering for visitors and guests.

Johnson had considered scrapping London House altogether.

"We looked at whether it would be viable to abandon plans for London House, but found that many of the costs have been committed already," Johnson said in a statement issued by his office on Thursday.

"We will do what we can to make it as cost effective as possible in how it promotes London, but will look at other cost savings where we can.

"The Olympic Games are important to London, as is our presence during the Beijing Games, but I want to ensure every aspect is kept under tight financial control.

"There were some pretty unrealistic things planned, which would have cost a lot of taxpayer money, but which would have had marginal value to Londoners."

Johnson, who will fly economy class to the Chinese capital, said he will also reduce the number of City Hall delegates flying to Beijing, and cut expenditure on accommodation.