FILM and television production companies spent nearly £3million in Somerset in the past year, Screen Somerset has estimated.

It includes an Orchid Pictures adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The Seven Dials Mystery, partly filmed in Blue Anchor.

The production crew spent several days in July filming on the sea front in Blue Anchor, including footage of steam trains on the West Somerset Railway.

The movie stars British actors including Helena Bonham Carter, Martin Freeman, and Edward Bluemel and is being produced for Netflix.

Other television shows and feature films have key scenes set in Cheddar Gorge, Street, Shepton Mallet, and Norton St Philip, all of which were supported by Somerset Council’s film office.

Along with many smaller television shows and documentaries, an estimated £2.8 million of production spend came into the county, more than double last year’s £1.1million.

Somerset’s accommodation providers are being urged to make the most of the blockbusting trend by putting themselves forward as lodgings for crew, who often stay locally when filming.

Visit Somerset is compiling a list of ‘film friendly’ accommodation to help productions quickly find suitable lodgings.

Film friendly accommodation needs to be open to discounted group rates, flexible around changing schedules and anti-social hours, and have good parking and IT connectivity.

Accommodation providers can put themselves forward free of charge for the Visit Somerset listing by emailing [email protected].

Screen Somerset is supported by funding from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is working to capitalise on the country’s world-class film and television industry.

It aims to make the county as ‘film friendly’ as possible, assisting filmmakers in finding their perfect location and helping shoots run smoothly so they are keen to come back.

Screen Somerset provides a single point of contact, local knowledge, and works with the council’s highways, parking, and property services.

It proactively promotes the county to regional, national, and international location managers, working closely with Creative England’s Filming in England Partnership, which is responsible for promoting filming outside London.

Council executive Cllr Mike Rigby said: “We have a stunning and varied county and it is fantastic to see so many productions coming our way as Screen Somerset raises our profile on the national and international stage.

“As well as the direct income when productions are in town, there is big scope to use filming to attract more visitors and possible spin-offs for local skills and employment.”

Visit Somerset chief executive John Turner said: “Film location work and film tourism as we know brings considerable amounts of money and interest into our county.

“I am delighted that finally Somerset is being recognised by potential film production teams for its incredible locations, history, and heritage.

“The whole film location movement is really helping to ensure Somerset is seen in a new light.

“Visit Somerset is committed in its partnership with Screen Somerset to make sure that as many businesses within the county can gain from these investments as much as our visitors enjoy the added value experiences that film tourism brings.”