NORTH Wiltshire is set to be the Hollywood of the West Country with British film makers lined up to work at the new Bath Studios which open at Corsham Media Park in the autumn.

Speaking from the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, studio spokesman Matthew Davison said he could not reveal which companies they were, but said the films ranged from £1 million to £10 million productions.

He said each would employ around 80 to 200 people, mostly on a freelance basis, but the studios would also employ permanent staff.

The studios, a film, television and media production complex with three sound stages and a live stage, will form the heart of the Corsham Media Park.

The complex promises to be the most contemporary purpose-built studio facility in the country.

The studios will create more than 200 jobs for technicians and creatives, as well as opportunities for freelancers and suppliers.

BAFTA chairman Simon Relph said: "A studio facility like this for the South West is very welcome and opens up the real opportunity for feature film producers to base productions in the west.

"The Bath Studios and Film Office have forged close links to bring film and television productions to the West Country.

"This alliance means that production managers can easily find locations, crew and accommodation as well as pre and post-production facilities.

"There is not only a rich diversity of town and country locations, but also a thriving local media industry."

Caroline Norbury, chief executive of South West Screen, said: "The Bath Studios offers the potential to extend into feature film production and strengthen the region's position within the global media industry."