Council officials will today start examining bids from companies wanting to take on a contract to establish Suffolk as the go-to place to create, produce and locate big and little screen productions.

The am of the project is to promote the county’s landmarks and landscapes to the film and TV industry.

Over the past few years there has been considerable success in using the county as a location for productions attracting millions of viewers, including as a base for the hugely popular BBC Springwatch series at RSPB Minsmere, and the award-winning comedy drama The Detectorists in Framlingham.

Suffolk County Council is managing a tender process called Building Suffolk’s Screen Industries on behalf of all the county’s local authorities, who have agreed to pump more than £230,000 into the project.

The team masterminding the venture is is looking for a film industry expert or coalition to help and the “dynamic, experienced and connected contractor” will be expected to promote Suffolk as a diverse, culturally rich and talented place that can meet the needs of local, national and international screen industries.

The contractor will network and build on the existing community of screen industry professionals based in the county, attract screen industries, and associated disciplines to generate growth and inward investment, and establish, film friendly licensing and permissions across Suffolk.

It is the beginning of a long-term commitment to continue development and growth of Suffolk’s tourism and creative industries.

Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Ipswich, Christopher Hudson said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with all of our local authority partners in the county and local experts in the creative industry from Suffolk.

“We strongly believe Suffolk is well placed to benefit from this growing market and we are in a strong position with our beautiful natural landscape and built environment to compete nationally to attract film makers to Suffolk.”

Bids of up to £164,000 for a two-year contract starting next month have been invited from individuals, agencies or groups and council officials will today start sifting through the applications they have received.