London 2012 Olympic organisers were last night embroiled in an embarrassing gaffe after an image of Myra Hindley was used to promote the Games.

The face of the notorious serial killer flashed up in the background of an official celebration of the handover in downtown Beijing.

Downing Street and the mayor of London have condemned the use of the controversial painting by Yorkshire artist Michael Harvey, which was shown during a three-minute video promoting London’s cultural heritage during a post-closing ceremony party.

Her face was included as part of a six-minute film by Visit London, the agency to promote tourism in the capital.

It was shown on a loop at an invitation only party at London House attended by Gordon Brown, Boris Johnson, the London mayor, Tessa Jowell, the Olympics minister, and Sebastian Coe, chairman of London 2012.

The 11ftx 9ft image of Hindley, who remains reviled six years after her death for the 1960s torture and murder of four children, was seen briefly in the video as the camera panned through an art gallery.

Millions of TV viewers saw the image which was inadvertently included as part of a montage. It was picked up by BBC technicians.

"We recognise it is of course highly offensive to a lot of people," a spokesman for the mayor said. "The mayor is deeply disturbed and has made it clear that the film should not be shown in London House again."

London 2012 officials stressed that the film was not part of the handover ceremony and was not shown in the Olympic stadium.

Hindley was jailed for life along with her lover Ian Brady for the murders of four children between 1963 and 1964 in what became known as the ‘Moors Murders”. She died in custody in 2002.

The painting of Hindley, made from children’s handprints, caused controversy when it was first shown as part of the Sensation exhibition at the Royal Academy in 1997.

The black and white image was vandalised while on display and, although eventually removed, its showcase led to the resignation of four members of the academy who left in disgust.

The tourist board Visit London said in a statement: “This is a general three minute video of London in which an artwork by Marcus Harvey very fleetingly appears.

“The video is not for general public use and has been used many times over the last few years to show to the tourism trade.

“There has never been a complaint made about the video up until this point. However, if any offence has been caused, we will withdraw it from use with immediate effect.”

Liberal Democrat Olympics spokesman Tom Brake said: “British art definitely represents some of the ‘best of British’, but of all the many masterpieces that could have been used this was the most regrettable and the least inspired choice.”