Oscar-winner Danny Boyle will play a leading role in the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Games.

The Slumdog Millionaire director has been asked to take charge of the opening ceremony as artistic director.

Stephen Daldry, director of big screen hits such as Billy Elliot and The Reader, will be one of the four key executive producers of the showpiece opening and closing ceremonies. The team will oversee both ceremonies at each of the Olympic and Paralympic events.

Boyle, 53, who became hot property in Hollywood when his Mumbai-set film became an Oscar sensation, said: "I'm honoured to have been invited to be the artistic director for the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

"It's a completely unique opportunity to contribute to what I'm sure are going to be a fantastic Games, I'm really excited to be involved."

Daldry, 49, is joined by Mark Fisher, the concert, theatre and Beijing 2008 Games designer, Grammy and Bafta-award nominated TV director Hamish Hamilton plus Catherine Ugwu, producer of the 2006 Asian Games and the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, on the executive production team.