Mayor aims for the rouble

Ken Livingstone is looking to cash in on the growing Russian economy by attracting its business people and tourists to London.

He is advertising for a consultant to help develop links with Moscow and attract foreign investment to the capital. But the Mayor's office dismissed weekend press speculation he was to open a Moscow office and instead pointed to Mr Livingstone's visit to the city last week. He met the mayors of the Russian capital, Berlin and Paris and discussed policy, including the congestion charge.

The ?10,125 consultancy post is due to be filled soon. A spokesman said: "The benefits gained for London by maintaining close relationships with major cities massively outweigh the limited costs involved."