A GROWTH rate of more than double the national average has shot Yorkshire into the number one spot as the fastest growing region for film and television production.

New figures released by Screen Yorkshire have revealed Yorkshire and Humber’s film and television industries have topped every other part of the UK for growth.

The figures show that between 2009 and 2015, Yorkshire’s film and television industries generated an annual turnover of £424 million across 590 creative businesses, representing a growth rate 247 per cent against the UK average of 118 per cent.

The data also showed Gross Value Added (GVA) from the region’s industry increased 242 per cent in comparison to a UK average growth of 120 per cent.

Screen Yorkshire has attributed the growth to its Yorkshire Content Fund, which has been backed by the European Regional Development Fund, and has secured more than £157 million of new business to the region through its investment activities.

The fund has brought numerous camera crews to York, including the team behind ITV’s drama Victoria, which filmed all its interior scenes in studios at Church Fenton.

Last year also saw the release of TV drama Dark Angel, which was filmed in York, and BBC Bronte biopic To Walk Invisible, which features scenes of Micklegate.

Further afield Bridlington played host to the Dad’s Army film, and this year will see the release of action movie Hunter’s Prayer - shot in Harrogate, Helmsley and Scarborough.

York has also recently provided the backdrop for Mad to Be Normal, a film starring David Tennant that tells the story of Scottish psychiatrist R D Laing, and BBC’s seven part series Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.

Sally Joynson, chief executive at Screen Yorkshire, said: “With the UK’s creative economy booming, this new research is highly significant for Yorkshire and these figures clearly demonstrate that the region is punching above its weight when it comes to producing world class film & TV. We can now demonstrate how much more we can achieve for the region, the wider north and the UK economy as a whole if we can attract the right level of support and investment into the sector in Yorkshire.”