A COUNCIL is soon to receive the final plans that could see a North-East seafront transformed into 1940s Dunkirk for a £36m movie.

The film is based on Ian McEwan's wartime novel Atonement and will star Oscar-nominated Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, with Jude Law also rumoured to appear.

The movie's production company, Working Title Films, has drafted a timetable for filming, which could see work beginning in early July with sets being built.

At the end of August, Redcar Esplanade would be closed from the Regent Cinema to the boating lake to allow filming to start.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick, said: "This is a really exciting opportunity for Redcar. Of course, it's not 100 per cent certain yet, but this film is a fantastic showcase for the town and its residents.

"Working Title Films has assured us they are not considering any other towns for filming and are now looking for further locations in Redcar and across the borough, which is very promising."

Fifty members of the company's technical team visited the town recently to inspect locations and make preparations for the transformation of parts of the town into wartime scenes.

Northern Film and Media location service manager, Gayle Mason, said: "Productions like this one can have a massive impact on the region in terms of economic benefit, tourism and work for local people and companies."

Northern Film and Media has started a recruitment drive for up to 1,000 local extras to take part.

Anyone interested in appearing as an extra can download an application form from the company's website at www.northernmedia.org and click on locations, crew and facilities.

Published: 22/05/2006