Bid to make town top destination for filmmakers

Swindon is also being promoted as being "perfectly placed" for film and television productions

Leaders of a new office set up to attract filmmakers to Swindon say the town "could easily double for London and has lots of hidden gems".

Bosses at Screen Swindon hope to simplify filming in the area by connecting directors with local services and skilled professionals.

The new film office, which is backed by Creative England and Swindon Borough Council, will be managed by production company Create Studios.

Shahina Johnson, the studio's CEO, said: "[Swindon is] cheaper to film in then London or Bristol but we've very similar locations - urban environments, the countryside and the heritage properties - they are all here."

According to Screen Swindon's leaders, the town "offers a diverse range of hidden gems and backdrops for storytelling".

"We have some great locations", said Yeva Deli, from Create studios.

Shahina Johnson and Marilyn Fitzgerald, from Create Studios, said Swindon is "perfectly placed" for film and television productions

"Railway Village, Lydiard House, and some places that will easily double for locations in London," she added.

The town is also being promoted as being "perfectly placed" for film and television productions.

"We're brilliantly positioned so close to the M4 and the M5," said Ms Johnson.

"Why shouldn't Swindon be benefiting from the incredible growth in the creative industries."

Swindon's Spectrum building was used as a backdrop in A View To A Kill in 1984 starring Roger Moore

Marilyn Fitzgerald, the studio's co-director, said Swindon is about ten times cheaper to film in compared to London.

"What would cost a production £6,000 in London would cost it £600 in Swindon."

"There are film offices in Bristol, Bath, Cornwall and Gloucester and now in Swindon," she said.

"I can promise any production company that wants to come and film here, we will look after you."

Councillor Marina Strinkovsky said the council will be helping in "whatever way" it can.

"We will do everything we can to help with licenses, or permissions, closing roads and allowing our parks or properties to be used," she said.

Over the years, Swindon has only made a couple of brief appearances on the big screen, both times as a backdrop for James Bond.

In 1984 the futuristic looking Spectrum building, recently taken over by a defence drone company, had some screen time in A View To A Kill with Roger Moore.