FILM and TV productions brought an estimated £1m into Cumbria last year, after latest Hollyood blockbuster Dolittle was partly filmed in the county.

The figures were revealed following the worldwide release of the family favourite on Friday, February 7, starring Robert Downer JR, famous for his role as Marvel's Iron Man.

The film features glimpses of Kirkby Lonsdale where parts of the filming took place in May 2018.

And that's not all, last year TV viewers tuned into ITV’s production of drama Deep Water and the BBC’s The A Word all featured the county's landscape in the back-drop.

This year there are even more with the release of big screen feature films including children's classic Peter Rabbit 2 and Supernova, a film about a man with early onset dementia.

Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, said: “We love welcoming film and TV productions to Cumbria, our county is home to such a range of different landscapes and backdrops and with film crews bringing in over six figures of income to Cumbria last year they form an important part of the local economy.

“With so many programmes and films set throughout Cumbria there are plenty of ways for businesses to get involved in film tourism.

"Easy-to-digest information or guides available for those seeking out specific locations or themed activities during their stay can really personalise a fan’s visit to the county, helping them to stay longer and return to experience everything Cumbria has to offer.

“It was amazing to see Kirkby Lonsdale’s market square transformed for Dolittle – it felt like you were walking straight into the film."

She added the hospitality industry also receives direct benefits from hosting production crews in nearby hotels and restaurants, especially in quieter periods.