Turn left... and follow in Hollywood stars' footsteps

LOCATIONS captured in films and TV programmes are featured on a new satellite navigation device.

Instead of giving you directions, Famous Locations points out places nearby where films have been shot.

The database includes several examples in North Staffordshire, including 1952's Hunted, starring Dirk Bogarde, which features scenes filmed in Cobridge and Penkhull.

Other locations include Middleport and Burslem, which appeared in The Card, based on one of Arnold Bennett's Five Towns novels, and Alton Towers, one of the settings for Bollywood extravaganza Lamhe.

Famous Locations has been developed by London-based RoadTour, which specialises in GPS guides.

The programme, which can be downloaded on to a range of satnavs from famouslocations.com, features more than 6,000 scenes which have been built up over eight years of research.

RoadTour managing director Rob Taylor said: "We're always looking for ways to improve people's journeys.

"There is simply a huge amount of movie content, and with this product, people can enjoy it on the move. It's fascinating to turn it on and realise that just a few hundred metres away a movie scene was shot. Not only does this connect us with our surroundings but also with our movie heritage."

Ray Johnson, director of the Staffordshire Film Archive, said the region has featured in more films that people might expect.

Mr Johnson, who is also professor of film heritage and documentary at Staffordshire University, said: "I've been holding film showings every Wednesday at the Film Theatre in Stoke and one of the themes we've had this year was When Stoke Was Hollywood.

"I think this device is a really good idea.

"In the old days all the studios in this country were in London and if they wanted to film a northern city it was quicker for them to get to Stoke and back than it was to go to Yorkshire, for example. So Stoke turns up in quite a few films as a "northern" town. I think it's a very interesting idea. Once you know about it it's nice to watch the film and see if you can spot the location."