Burt returns to open film trail

Actor Burt Kwouk unveils the first placque on the trail.

From James Bond to On The Buses, the role that north Wales has played in films and television shows is being celebrated with the launch of a new trail.

Plaques commemorating productions are being unveiled across the region.

The first movie to be featured is Inn of the Sixth Happiness, which was shot on location in the Beddgelert area in 1958, and starred Ingrid Bergman.

Nine other plaques will be set up in the next year.

Another 20 will be introduced over the following two years.

OTHER FILM/TV LOCATIONS First Knight - Trawsfynydd The Prisoner - Portmeirion Mortal Kombat 2 - Anglesey Holiday On The Buses - Prestatyn

The Inn of the Sixth Happiness plaque was unveiled in Beddgelert by film and TV actor Burt Kwouk, who was in the Pink Panther movies.

It was his Kwouk's first Hollywood feature, and tells the true story of the missionary Gladys Aylward who led a group of orphans to safety across the mountains in war-torn China.

Kwouk played the part of an imprisoned schoolteacher called Li who came out of jail and went with the missionary, played by Bergman, across the mountains, ultimately sacrificing his own life to save the children.

He said: "The scenery looks much the same as some parts of China and the other thing is, it's such a beautiful part of the world, people look at it and say 'hey, we want to make a movie here!'"

The hotel where Angelina Jolie stayed in Caernarfon will also receive a plaque.

Future plaques will include Maentwrog falls, where Sean Connery filmed the water chute scene in the Bond film, From Russia With Love.

More recent locations include the Seiont Manor Hotel at Caernarfon, where Angelina Jolie stayed during the filming of Tomb Raider 2.

Richard Coombs, of the Welsh Films Commission, said: "This trail is designed to show everyone how rich north Wales is in terms of scenery and the many talented people who live and work here. "

"The next big one will be Holiday On The Buses in Prestatyn and then a bit more seriously, we'll be marking Hilary and Jackie and also Hedd Wyn, the Oscar-nominated Welsh film."