WARRINGTON is about to become one of the hottest filming locations in the country despite the latest famous visitors getting Cold Feet.

Cast and crew from the acclaimed ITV comedy series arrive in town on Monday to start filming the new series. Stars Helen Baxendale, internationally known for her role as Ross's ill-fated wife in Friends, and John Thompson, from The Fast Show, will make Spectrum Arena in Birchwood their second home for the three month filming schedule.

London Weekend Television spokesman Ian Johnstone confirmed that they would be using Spectrum Arena to film all of the interior scenes.

Warrington's growing reputation as a filming mecca is fast turning the town into the 'Hollywood of the North.'

Scouse soap Brookside has filmed major scenes at several locations in the town and Spectrum was used for the bawdy costume drama Moll Flanders, a film about the life of soccer legend George Best and tipped to be the biggest British film of the year, used Warrington Town Football club for several key scenes.

Clr Mike Hannon, chairman of the Community Services Committee, said: "Warrington is fast becoming the new filming area for the country. It is something else for the town to be proud of. There have been quite a number of productions filmed here and the more the merrier. Warrington can offer beautiful scenery in an excellent location. I'm very excited by it. It makes me proud to be a Warringtonian."

Asked if there was a possibility of Warrington following in the footsteps of glamourous locations such as New York and London and employing their own television and film officer, Clr Hannon said: "Why not? We don't want to get too cock-a-hoop but Warrington is a prime location."

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