HOLLYWOOD, Cannes...Hereford?

It could be possible after Herefordshire Council signed an agreement to help encourage more film and television productions to the county.

The Film Friendly Partnership has also been signed by Creative England which hopes to support more opportunities for Herefordshire to appear on both the big and small screen.

The council says TV and film production not only raises the profile of the county as a tourist destination, but also brings investment in terms of employment and work experience, plus boosts for the retail and hospitality industry.

Last year, ITV drama 'Midwinter of the Spirit', penned by Herefordshire author Phil Rickman, was filmed in the county with the help of the council which helped ITV find filming locations and accommodation.

It is estimated the production brought about £100,000 to the local economy with visitors numbers to the locations used in the programme expected to rise.

Phil Collinson, who produced the drama, said: "We needed to film extensively in Hereford centre and in various villages around and about.

"I have to say we found the experience to be a very positive one. Herefordshire Council was very helpful in securing some logistically difficult locations right in the heart of Hereford.

"Road closures and requests for lighting positions, traffic management - everything was dealt with quickly and efficiently and in a well co-ordinated manner.

"The surrounding areas offered a huge variety of locations, from pretty villages, churches and farms to more industrial.

"The whole thing was a very positive experience.”

Hereford Cathedral has regularly been used as a location in TV and film, and the Wye Valley near Symonds Yat is also no stranger to TV exposure.

The council says it is now time to put Herefordshire firmly on the filming map.

"The outstanding natural beauty and heritage of the area makes it an attractive prospect for new film projects," said Cllr Graham Powell, cabinet member for economy.

"The Film Friendly Partnership helps us promote the county and shows our commitment to make Herefordshire the natural choice for production companies.”

The council's role will be to identify possible locations, as well as support and handle permissions to film within the county.

Creative England will be the official agency working for and on behalf of the British Film Institute and the UK Government, to promote and support production companies using the Herefordshire area both nationally and internationally.