A YORK-based operator of national attractions is looking to create its third visitor experience for ITV as it builds on its portfolio of soap opera themed tours.

Continuum Leading Attractions, based in Margaret Street, has been appointed by ITV to deliver a behind the scenes visitor attraction for its long-running soap Emmerdale.

A planning application has been submitted on behalf of the broadcasting giant seeking permission to create television studio tour within Burley Road Studios in Leeds.

If successful the plans will see Continuum deliver a second Emmerdale attraction, having worked on creating tours of the external sets on the historic Harewood Estate.

It will also mark the firm's third collaboration with ITV after deliver the Coronation Street Tours in Manchester.

Juliana Delaney, chief executive of Continuum Attractions, said: "We are delighted to continue our partnership with ITV with this unique opportunity to showcase Emmerdale’s live working TV sets to fans across the globe.

"Following our success with Coronation Street The Tour, we’re confident we can replicate the unforgettable experience of our much-loved Manchester attraction."

Subject to planning, the Burley Road Studios in central Leeds will open to the public in the late summer of 2016. It is estimated that the operation will attract about 150,000 visitors per year, bringing in about £15m to the Leeds visitor economy. The attraction would also support about 70 jobs.

Each tour for 50 guests would last 1.5 hours, allowing a capacity of 1,500 per day.

Continuum's current Emmerdale tour explores the soap's fictional village, which was purpose built in the grounds of Harewood House over 17

years ago after the programme’s former location of Esholt became so popular with visitors, filming scenes there became impossible.

John Whiston, managing director of Continuing Drama andhHead of ITV North said: "The village set is a unique and special place and Emmerdale is excited to be able to show it off to a select number of visitors. I'm sure the public will enjoy seeing it as much as we enjoy working there."

Continuum's Coronation Street Tour was dubbed one of the highest profile visitor attractions outside of London.

Finishing on December 31 last year, the Coronation Street Tour was originally licensed for a six month run starting in April last year, with parties then agreeing an extension in October.

Continuum welcomes more than a million visitors a year to its attractions, which also include The Real Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh, The Canterbury Tales in Canterbury, Oxford Castle Unlocked in Oxford, and York Chocolate Story.

The business, which has a turnover of more than £12 million and employs more than 400 tourism professionals across the UK, has outlined plans to increase its annual visitor numbers at its seven sites from one million to four million.

Over the next five years, bosses also plans to expand its portfolio to 15 attractions.