SWINDON has everything filmmakers need, according to a location company which has been marketing the town.

South West Screen, which promotes the region to film, television and digital media crews, has shown off locations in the Swindon area at an exhibition at London's Earls Court.

And it seems movie moguls are not just looking for stately homes the modern office blocks in the town are popular hotspots for location managers.

The south west is a good choice for film locations because of the region's rich heritage and scenery.

Countless blockbusters, television shows and commercials have been shot around the region.

But, judging by South West Screen's new online library, modern office blocks and grubby car parks are in demand for gritty car chase scenes.

Film liaison manager Sue Craig thinks Swindon has a lot to offer filmmakers.

She said: "We are trying to promote the town because of its proximity to London.

"Being so close to London attracts producers. Most films are shot around the M25 and a key issue for them is not having to find somewhere for the crew to stay.

"If they can travel to Swindon quickly and easily then that's a great selling point.

"One of the really interesting things about Swindon is the mix between the urban streets and the lovely countryside.

"Round one corner you might see a row of railway workers' cottages and round the next modern buildings like the cellular phone office.

"This is great for filmmakers because they can shoot different scenes without having to travel to different locations.

"One of the biggest films shot in Swindon was James Bond A View To A Kill.

"The old Renault building was used in a lot of scenes."

The Motorola building was also used in James Bond film The World Is Not Enough

"More recently the Science Museum at Wroughton was used to film the 20 Century Roadshow," said Sue. "It's great because it brings a lot of money into the town.

"I would never pigeonhole Swindon for one particular type of film because it is such a versatile area."

Other spots around Wiltshire have been used to shoot films.

Locations that are being exhibited at the Broadcast show, which started on Tuesday, include Corsham Court, and Corsham, which have been used for the BBC drama Wives And Daughters in 2000 and ITV's The Mayor Of Casterbridge in 2000.

Longleat House, in Warminster, was transformed into an Indian boarding school for the Bollywood film Mohabbatein in 2000.

And the 1995 film, Sense And Sensibility was filmed on Salisbury Plain.

For more information log on to www.swscreen.co.uk.

Lyndsay Scanlan