A prominent MP followed in the footsteps of Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise and Kenneth Branagh when she arrived in Borehamwood on Thursday.

Accustomed to welcoming the stars, Elstree Film Studios put on the lights, cameras and action for Janet Anderson MP, the new Junior Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting.

Appointed in the recent Government reshuffle, Mrs Anderson was invited by Hertsmere Borough Council to visit the studios.

Head of studios Neville Reid said: "It went very well. She said herself she was on a steep learning curve. By going into the sound stages I think she got a feeling of how it actually works and I think she gained a lot from the visit.

"It's obviously good for the studios to have contact with the minister for film so we can discuss the issues affecting the industry."

Previously a Government whip, Mrs Anderson is a newcomer to the world of celluloid and had never been to a film studio before.

This was a fact-finding mission and gave her the chance to meet with industry representatives.

Local councillors, studio representatives, press secretaries, a Channel 4 film crew and photographers followed the minister throughout the afternoon.

Channel 4 were covering the event for a new series about the film industry due to start on October 13. Presented by Charlie Higson of The Fast Show fame, it will take on a magazine format, including news, reviews and interviews.

After looking round the sets of Kavanagh QC and the BBC's Playing The Field, the entourage donned fluorescent waistcoats and hard-hats and ventured onto the building site where construction workers are busy building what are due to become the two tallest sound stages in Britain.

A spokeswoman for the minister said: "The minister found it very interesting and informative. She was very grateful for the time and trouble taken and was very excited about the potential, particularly the building of the new sound stages."

In an attempt to preserve one of the country's longest-serving and best known film studios, the council purchased the property in February 1996.

Today the council runs the studios on a four-wall basis, hiring out just the area to fully-equipped and staffed production teams.

Mr Reid said: "The minister was certainly very supportive of what Hertsmere has done in saving the studios. She hopes to come back for another visit and she's very welcome to do so any time she likes."

Studios expert Paul Welsh said: "I think it's very useful to have these exchanges because sometimes in the past governments have been a bit remote, but abroad, especially in the USA and Ireland, the governments see the potential for both employment and revenue to stimulate investment and film production."

Finally Mrs Anderson was shown around Weird & Wonderful, a props-hire company which leases its space from the council. An awe-inspiring warehouse whose stock includes an Oscar, Darth Vader and even a dead body, the minister was shown around by owner Nick Harrison.

Mrs Anderson seemed delighted when he handed her a page from the Daily Planet, the newspaper for which Superman's alter-ego Clark Kent worked. No pun intended, she said: "It's super. That will go straight up on the wall."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.