CORSHAM is set to rival the likes of Pinewood and Elstree following the announcement that multi-million pound film studios are opening at the town's media park.

The new Bath Studios will open in the autumn bringing more than 200 jobs.

Film-makers are reported to be showing major interest in the new studios with potential projects ranging from £1m to £10m.

Studio spokesman Matthew Davison said: "For producers and directors this is going to be a great place to work, and for the area, it will bring more film-making into the local economy."

The film, television and media production complex will have three sound stages and a live stage at the media park, which has been created on the site of the former Spring Quarry military base.

The park was launched in a blaze of publicity and lauded as the future Hollywood of the west several years ago, but failed to secure a studio operator.

But now the AlKemi Group is putting up the money for Bath Studios which is being backed by the Bath Film Office and South West Screen.

Mr Davison said: "With the resurgence of the British film industry, the west of England is now a leading a centre for talent, with easy access to outstanding locations, skilled labour force and climate."

The Bath Studios is being created on a 42-acre plot, with a further 20-acre secure back lot for large scale special effects and street scenes.

The studio complex will include sound stages, production offices, construction facilities, make up and wardrobe, dressing rooms, a preview theatre, edit suites, camera rooms, rehearsal studios and prop and set stores.

Simon Relph, chairman of the British Academy of Film and Television Awards, said: "A studio facility like this for the south west is very welcome and opens up the real opportunity for feature film producers to base productions in the west."

The studios will work closely with the Bath Film Office enabling production managers to source locations, crew, accommodation and production facilities.

The area is already popular as a location for film and television production.

Numerous period dramas have been set in Lacock and scenes from the blockbuster Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone were shot at Lacock Abbey.

Caroline Norbury, chief executive of South West Screen, said: "The south west already has a world class reputation for its cluster of leading-edge companies developing interactive content and applications.

"The Bath Studios offers the potential to extend this reputation into feature film production and strengthen the region's position within the global media industry."