Scene set for Val

Hollywood star Val Kilmer brought parts of London's West End to a standstill today as he arrived in town today to film scenes for his new movie Spartan, which is due out next year.

Traffic wardens and police were forced to shut sections of Charlotte Street as filming took place in an empty office block, near the BT Tower.

Predominately filmed in Boston, America, the cast and crew moved into London for just two days to film two crucial scenes.

By mid-morning crowds had gathered around the film set hoping to catch a glimpse of the star of hit movies The Saint and Batman Forever. However, Kilmer reportedly only stayed for 20 minutes of filming before speeding off to enjoy the London sunshine.

Directed by David Mamet, the man behind movies Hannibal, Wag the Dog and Ronin, Spartan is based on a secret service agent who rescues the President's abducted daughter and discovers a conspiracy within the White House.

Also starring William H Macy and Derek Luke, Spartan, is due for general release in the UK early next year.