THE rolling countryside of the Upper Eden Valley could soon be appearing at a cinema near you, if the county's new film supremo has his way.

Alan Saywell is bidding to ensure Cumbria gets its share of the action from movie and television productions after taking up his newly-created post as head of the Cumbria Film Office.

Alan, 33, is convinced that the county's rich range of filming locations, from coastline and docks, to industrial sites, historic buildings and market towns, as well as beautiful scenery and lakes, will pull in film productions.

"I will be working closely with our local partners, Rural Regeneration Cumbria, Cumbria Institute of the Arts, Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Tourist Board, to market the region, increase filming and help develop a sustainable film and TV economy in the county," she said.

Alan will be mostly based at Rural Regeneration Cumbria's offices just outside Penrith, which is no stranger to the silver screen. The town and surrounding area figured extensively in the 1987 cult comedy, Withnail & I, which saw two out-of-work actors, played by Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann, quitting London for their uncle's cottage in Penrith.

Speaking about his new role at a glittering launch of the Cumbria Film Office at Rheged, near Penrith, on Thursday night, Alan said his first task would be to set up a database of Cumbria-based film operatives and facilities; draw up a list of film locations in the county; and create groups to support film and television productions.

A film and TV industry professional who has worked on a string of high-profile productions, from the first Harry Potter film and Captain Corelli's Mandolin, to TV's Bad Girls and Footballers' Wives, Alan plans to draw on his bulging contacts book to bring filmmakers to the county.

Among those attending the launch party was soap star Kate Ford, who plays Tracy Barlow in Coronation Street. Kate, originally from Kirkby Lonsdale, told The Messenger: "I think it's brilliant that the Lake District is being promoted as a film location. I don't think people realise how beautiful the area is."

The Cumbria Film Office will form part of the publicly-funded North West Vision, which already manages film offices in Manchester, Liverpool, Lancashire and Cheshire, and has helped to build up a multi-million pound industry in the region.

Alan can be contacted on 01931-711141.