Redmond aims to recruit and train new film-makers

TV boss Phil Redmond has announced the formation of a movie company, Mersey Films.

The firm will be based in Liverpool and Cheshire and focus on feature-length films.

It will be a division of Mersey Television, which makes Brookside, Grange Hill and Hollyoaks.

Mr Redmond, Mersey Television chairman, said the company aims to reach the stage where it is continuously producing films.

If the company succeeds it will be a boost to the UK film industry, which last year suffered a 40% drop in the number of movies produced.

'Retain talent'

Mr Redmond said : "What we will be aiming to do is develop what has been missing from the British film industry for a long time.

"The critical mass will enable us to remain in permanent production.

"This will allow us to seek out, nurture, train and retain talent just as we have done over the past 20 years in television."

As well as a drop in movies produced, the slump in UK films led to the closing of Channel 4's film production arm, Film Four, in July.

Huge financial losses were blamed, which forced the closure.