IT could become the film location capital of the region.The coastal strip of Suffolk has already hosted film crews of several movies and TV shows - and now efforts are under way to attract even more programme makers.

IT could become the film location capital of the region.

The coastal strip of Suffolk has already hosted film crews of several movies and TV shows - and now efforts are under way to attract even more programme makers.

This year episodes of TV's Top Gear and Dog Borstal have been filmed at Bentwaters, and scenes from a new film Beyond the Pole and TV's Britain from Above at Felixstowe port.

Bentwaters has also been used for Robot Wars, Mission Implausible, and was the base for spoof show Space Cadets.

Walberswick was used for the thriller A Line in the Sand, a PD James was shot at Felixstowe Ferry, BBC drama Deceit at Bawdsey and Woodbridge, scenes from The Inspector Lynley Mysteries at Felixstowe, as was the Nastassja Kinski movie The Lost Son.

Now Suffolk Coastal council has teamed up with ScreenEast, the agency responsible for promoting, developing and supporting the film and media industries in the East of England, to try and bring more film-makers to the area.

Cabinet member Colin Hart said: “Our knowledge of locations that might suit filmmakers' needs and links with the local community will be invaluable to ScreenEast as they seek to attract production teams to the area.

“And the district will benefit from the revenue generated by location fees and the film crews' use of services in the area such as hotels and restaurants. That is why we are keen to get people involved.

“There is also the added bonus that, if the film or television drama proves popular, it can generate tourism, which will be a great boost both to the economy and to our reputation.”

Before the new link-up, Suffolk Coastal was dealing with film crews and production teams without the specialist expertise to support them, while ScreenEast lacked in-depth knowledge of the district to inform their clients properly.

“Large buildings, period properties, modern properties and vacant and derelict industrial buildings are all in demand for use in films, adverts and television,” said Mr Hart.

“They are also compiling a list of businesses in the service industry that could be useful to production teams, such as florists, caterers and drycleaners.”

People with suitable land or premises should contact ScreenEast on 01923 495501.

Do you enjoy seeing Suffolk on TV? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk