THE Westmorland Gazette played a part in helping Alan Saywell to land the role of Cumbria's first film liaison officer.

"Last October, I was working in London and coming home to Burton-in-Kendal every weekend. My wife, Margaret, bought The Westmorland Gazette and noticed that Cumbria was looking for a film officer," recalled Alan.

"I thought that was fantastic. I contacted Rural Regeneration Cumbria and discovered it wasn't too late to apply for the job, so I did. I was looking to move back to Cumbria, and it was a great opportunity to use the skills I had."

Chester-born Alan, 33, has already built up an impressive CV in television and film production.

After gaining a first class honours degree in photography film and television from Edinburgh's Napier University, he formed his own production company, shooting corporate videos and pop promos before moving to London to work on the first Harry Potter film and the wartime romantic drama, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, starring Nicolas Cage.

He then switched to television, starting out as a unit manager and rising up the ranks to become a location manager, working on shows such as Bad Girls, Footballers Wives and Brides in the Bath.

As film liaison officer, he will divide his time between Rural Regeneration Cumbria's offices just outside Penrith, and the Cumbria Institute of the Arts, in Carlisle.

He can be contacted on 01931-711141.