TWO candidates in the Inverclyde Council elections are trying to revive the idea of a film studio being created in the district by the Scottish Government.

Liberal Democrat poll hopefuls Dr Jacci Stoyle and Ciano Rebecchi say it could bring jobs and very welcome attention to Inverclyde.

They have put forward the former IBM site at Spango Valley as a proposed location.

Dr Stoyle said there have been proposals to situate a Scottish Film Studio in various locations, including Edinburgh and Cumbernauld, and that there were many good reasons for choosing Inverclyde.

She said: “We have had the recent experience of Waterloo Road being filmed here in Greenock, and the TV company found the whole area suitable for their production.

“In addition, filming has taken place at Loch Thom for Shetland and at Spango Valley for Jonathan Creek.

“It has been suggested by producers that a lot more programmes would be made in this area if we had a studio. We have such amazing, unspoilt land and seascapes, no wonder we are a dream location for so many film makers. We should be taking advantage of this.”

Dr Stoyle highlighted Inverclyde’s long tradition of involvement in the arts and the number of successful actors and writers produced locally, and said the support of the Scottish Government would be necessary for financial reasons.

And she hopes to get council backing to pursue another attempt at getting a studio here.

She said: “There is potential for a successful campaign leading to a serious bid for this venture.

“We need jobs, and in particular skilled jobs, and this would be a major project which would contribute a great deal to this.

“In addition, the spin-offs would bring more people looking for shops, restaurants and hotels, which would bring a vibrancy to the area as well as jobs.

“The excitement of having a studio providing opportunities for our creative and technically adept young people would encourage them to stay in Inverclyde and make good careers here.”

Dr Stoyle added: “An opportunity is presented by the availability of Spango Valley, however sad the reasons for this may be. I understand that the council’s initial view is that this site should be used for housing and leisure purposes, but it would also be suitable site for the proposed new studio. The site is available, rail and road communications from it are excellent and the land has been in long term non-greenbelt use.

“I understand that Pentland Studio is keen to have a studio in Scotland and is currently looking to have one near Edinburgh with an outside facility at Crieff for exterior filming.

“However, Midlothian Council have not yet made a decision.

"This may be presenting us with an ideal opportunity to approach the film company and the Scottish Government to think about us again.

“Scotland is the only country in the UK not to have a film studio. The time is therefore surely ripe for something to happen here.”

Cllr Rebecchi is backing Dr Stoyle’s suggestion, saying it would be a great way to promote the area.

He said: “Inverclyde is a lovely place with tremendous scenery. TV and film companies have been delighted to be here in the past, so it would be an ideal place for a film studio.”

Creative Scotland is the public body that distributes funding from the Scottish Government and The National Lottery.

A spokesperson for Creative Scotland said: “The Film Studio Delivery Group, comprising the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Creative Scotland, continues to welcome proposals from private sector developers that are state aid compliant.”