Liverpool wins £6m film grant

The 51st State is just one of the many movies filmed in Liverpool

Liverpool's thriving film industry is set to boom with the allocation of £6m to develop the city as a Hollywood hotspot.

The money has been handed over by the European Community to North West Film.

The agency says it will use the cash to develop and encourage new talent and build strong businesses in Merseyside.

Liverpool has been used as a backdrop for several Hollywood movies, including The 51st State, starring Samuel L Jackson and Robert Carlyle and The Hunt For Red October, when William Brown Street was transformed into snowy Moscow.

North West Vision say the money will help create 217 jobs in the film industry in the city.

Steve Morrison, chairman of North West Vision - and former Granada chief - said: "TV and film industries are built on creativity but they need the money to grow.

Movie-making map

"North West Vision has now got a fantastic opportunity to invest in ground breaking new projects and provide opportunities for local people."

Sue Woodward, creative director of Liverpool's Capital of Culture celebrations, said it was also good news ahead of the 2008 event.

She said: "This is a valuable boost to the film industry on Merseyside and will help encourage and develop the creative talent that already exists here.

"We now have a real chance to strengthen what we have at the moment and help grow the film and television sector, creating jobs and putting the city firmly on the movie making map."