WATCH Naomi Campbell and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley head starry Burberry Christmas campaign

The countdown to Christmas has really begun this week. With Christmas windows going up, the anticipation for the John Lewis advert is almost palpable.

Burberry has really got the Christmas cogs in motion today however with its all-star Billy Elliot-inspired Christmas film. After the news that the brand's creative director, Christopher Bailey, has also designed the famous Claridge's Christmas tree, this is yet another bauble on its well-decorated Christmas campaign.

In a tribute to the Bafta-winning British film Billy Elliot, currently celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Burberry film mimics the beautiful opening sequence that sees character Billy, played by Jamie Bell, jumping to the sound of T Rex's Cosmic Dancer. Scenes from this sequence are intertwined with Burberry's cast leaping in the brand's festive collections.

Heading up the Christmas cast is Burberry favourite Romeo Beckham as well as a host of musicians and actors including James Corden, Sir Elton John, Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery, George Ezra and James Bay, with Julie Walters wearing a gold trench coat. The film also features Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and her model brother Toby in his Burberry debut.

Walters is no stranger to the British film as she starred in it as dance teacher Sandra Wilkinson, while John was tasked with adapting the film for the stage musical.

Billy Elliot sparked a rise in charitable support for the areas surrounding Easington, County Durham, where it was set. Burberry is making a donation of £500,000 in recognition of each artist's participation in the campaign to be split between two local charities, Place2Be and the County Durham Community Foundation, which aim to increase education, training and employment within Durham.

Alongside the three-minute film, the main campaign will be led with the official imagery shot by Mario Testino that sees the likes of Campbell, Beckham, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Bay suspended in the air in the British fashion house's festive apparel.

The boys are featured in classic signature Heritage trench coats and cashmere scarves with patent dress shoes, while the girls are leaping in new-season vibrant floral-printed and delicately embroidered maxi dresses and tassled shoe boots and accessories.

It also marks the launch of Burberry's Book of Gifts that features their most popular gift items this Christmas available on Burberry.com.