A £1.5m bid to make the North-East a British movie-making mecca will be launched on Thursday.

Northern Film and Media (NFM) believes the Government cash will help make the region a vibrant new location for film and TV makers.

The organisation is supported by One NorthEast and the Lottery through the Film Council's Regional Investment Fund for England.

Officials hope the organisation will become the hub for television production companies, and computer games producers.

Tom Harvey, chief executive of NFM said: "NFM will make a difference to the North-East.

"There is now an inertia in London when it comes to developing new ideas, there are just too many ideas and companies competing for the same space.

"Everyone here wants to see success for themselves and the region, that gives this place an energy that's immensely powerful and creative."