September 5, 2011: The Telegraph revealed that one of TV’s most popular programmes could soon be filmed in Greenock.

Production of the BBC1’s Waterloo Road was set to move from Rochdale to Scotland, and the makers of the school drama series, Shed Productions, were looking for locations.

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil had contacted Shed about filming in Inverclyde.

He had suggested they use one of Inverclyde’s old schools such as Wellington Academy as their film set — and hopes were growing that they would agree.

(Image: Newsquest)

Mr McNeil said: “One of the consequences of our new school estate is that we have some school buildings still in good condition which are not being used, and I believe they would be an ideal setting for Waterloo Road.

“I have spoken with Inverclyde Council, Scottish Enterprise and Riverside Inverclyde about putting together an attractive offer for Shed Productions to move here.

“Inverclyde has a proud association with the arts, from actor Richard Wilson to the film Sweet Sixteen, and from the new Arts Guild theatre to the drama, sound and make-up courses being run at James Watt College.”

He added: “It would be a great boost to the area to have such a popular TV show filmed here in Inverclyde, and I will be contacting other local agencies to see if we can make this work.”

The show regularly attracted more than five million viewers and was moving as part of the BBC’s decision to increase network programming from Scotland.

The move was set to create 230 jobs and generate almost £25 million in direct investment over the next two years.

 No comment was available from Shed on Mr McNeil’s proposal, and a BBC spokesman said: “Information on locations will be released in due course.”

Greenock Academy was eventually selected as the location for the new series, and was used for shooting scenes from 2012 until 2015.