A SEASIDE town is confident the global success of the Hollywood blockbuster Atonement will put it firmly on the worldwide movie map.

The filming of scenes for the wartime epic in Redcar, east Cleveland, has already triggered interest among the film-making fraternity.

The movie, starring Keira Knightley, which featured pivotal scenes of the Dunkirk evacuation filmed in the town, won two Golden Globes and four prizes at the inaugural Richard Attenborough Film Awards. It is nominated for 14 Baftas and seven Oscars.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is creating a filming policy that aims to make it easier for film companies to work in the borough.

Council leader George Dunning said: "The reaction on the day of (the premiere of) Atonement last September was fantastic. It was just a fantastic day and we want to promote the borough of Redcar and Cleveland.

"I personally have had one or two approaches of interest in the area."

The council's cabinet will also consider signing up to Northern Film and Media's Film Friendly Partnership Charter, which will encourage more companies to come to the area and ensure that the experience is well-managed.

The council's cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, Sheelagh Clarke, said: "Atonement has started to make waves for Redcar and Cleveland, and it would be fantastic to really get the area on the movie map.

"We have already seen an increase in inquiries for commercials and presentation films to be made in the borough, so this can only help boost tourism and, ultimately, benefit the local economy."

The seaside town was transformed into Forties Dunkirk in August 2006. A thousand extras from across the region were given a shot at fame during three days of the filming.

In September last year, The Regent cinema, in Redcar, hosted the regional premiere of the film, while the town staged a day of celebratory events.

The council is now convinced the area has everything required for a movie backdrop.

Coun Dunning said: "We have such a cross-section of locations in Redcar and Cleveland. For example, we have Roseberry Topping and beautiful places like Saltburn -a beautiful Victorian town -and Gisborough Priory. And we have the industry as well.

"You can see the industry, countryside and coast all together. It is unusual what we have got here.

"(Atonement director) Joe Wright did a marvellous job when he managed to get the huge blast furnace looking so nice in the background, most people would be surprised at how he managed to do that so it could look so fine."

The DVD of Atonement is out on Monday, with extras including a making of section, where viewers can watch the transformation of Redcar beach into the Dunkirk evacuation.