Moorlands has starring role in mythical film

There aren't many people that would disagree that the Staffordshire Moorlands benefits from film star looks - which is just one of the reasons the area plays a lead role in a successful feature film.

Independent film maker Paul Osborne used the district, and his farm in Cheddleton, as the backdrop to his first feature film 'Arthur and Merlin' a re-telling of the original Celtic tales behind these beloved mythical characters.

He recently met with the Leader of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, Councillor Sybil Ralphs, to celebrate the success of the film reaching the top twenty of the UK DVD charts and top ten of the i-Tunes chart.

Already available in the UK, the film is set to be released soon in the US, Germany, France, the Middle East, China and Japan.

Councillor Ralphs said: "I was delighted to meet Paul and to congratulate him on the success of his terrific film. The countryside of the Moorlands is one of its outstanding and defining characteristics so it comes as no surprise that it features so prominently in his film.

"The district attracts thousands of visitors every year with tourism playing a key role in boosting the local economy. We are keen to share the many and varied attractions of this area with more and more people and this film will open up the area to a whole new, worldwide audience."

Mr Osborne added: "It was a real pleasure to film in the Moorlands and the Peak District. As a passionate supporter of this area, I hope that my film does encourage people to come and visit and to enjoy all that it offers for themselves.

"We're already working on the sequel to the Arthur and Merlin story and I'm very much looking forward to once again returning to film in these fantastic locations later this year."