An ambitious plan to transform Carlisle and Cumbria into a global film-making centre, specialising in wartime movies, has been revealed.

The man behind Carlisle Castle's high-profile remembrance festival believes he can bring an Oscar back to the county within 10 years.

Anthony Steven led the hugely popular This Day in 1918 event on Saturday, which saw thousands of people descend on the castle for a day of living history - transporting visitors back 100 years to the day before World war One ended.

It was such a success that he and production teammates now have their sights set higher - on making blockbuster movies, with realistic wartime settings, right here in Cumbria.

Mr Steven, of High Crosby, near Carlisle, is now calling for political and financial backing for the project, which he believes will put the area on the map.

He also wants to see it create tailormade jobs for local ex-servicemen and women.

Speaking to the News & Star, Mr Steven said: "We intend to be an international centre for the production of films set in the wartime. That's not necessarily war films, but films from that era. It could be drama, crime. There are so many possibilities.

"It is going to happen. We've already founded Centenary Films.

"What we've done with at Carlisle Castle shows just what we are capable of. If we can do all this with just £13,000 and an army of volunteers, imagine what we can do going forward. For a major film, that doesn't even cover their coffee budget, yet we've created all of this."

Mr Steven said he wants to see Cumbria become known across the world for the quality of its wartime sets and accuracy of its costumes.

Having sought the help of ex-service personnel to play roles throughout the living history event, he believes there will be many more opportunities going forward.

And he said the talent available locally doesn't end there with many other organisations, including Carlisle College students and tutors, who helped with the set design and construction for Saturday's epic remembrance event.

By working together, Mr Stevens said they had created a realistic World War One trench and replica tank, all manned by local actors in period dress.

"Look at what we've done. The trench system looks, smells and sounds like a proper trench.

"Now we need political, financial and organisational backing to take this further.

"We need to work together for the greater good," he added.

"If that happens, Centenary Films will bring an Oscar home to Cumbria within 10 years."

Mr Steven thanked all of those who were involved in the This Day in 1918.

He particularly praised Ronnie Papaleo, the project's head of sets, who lives near Brampton and has used his military expertise to build and supply props for many major films - including trucks for Atonement and costumes for Captain Corelli's Mandolin .

He said Mr Papaleo shares his vision to bring the wartime film industry to Cumbria, as does head of fundraising Robert Lowther.

Mr Steven went on to hail the wider production team, as well as all of those who sponsored it.

"Without this incredible cast and crew, this event would never have happened," he added.

The This Day in 1918 event was part of the Carlisle Remembers programme.