Picturesque Ryedale is making a bid to become a star of the big and small screen.

The district council's economic chiefs believe that playing host to a film or TV show could provide a major boost to the area, as hit series Heartbeat did for Goathland and the North York Moors.

Castle Howard also gained kudos after being immortalised on TV in an adaptation of Brideshead Revisited.

Paul Hayward, Ryedale District Council's head of economic development and leisure, says the council is planning to become a member of the Yorkshire Screen Commission at a cost of £525. "By being a member, Ryedale has the chance to put itself forward as a location for suitable productions," said Mr Hayward.

"In turn, it creates awareness of the vast rural district nationally."

Steve Jacques, chairman of Ryedale Tourism Association, said Castle Howard had benefited over the years from "being Brideshead".

However, he was anxious that the membership should be monitored to ensure Ryedale got value for money.

"RTA is becoming very much involved with the district council to championing the cause of tourism in our area," he added.

Membership of the commission is just one of a catalogue of actions planed by the district authority to promote tourism in Ryedale.

Others include promoting the wealth of ancient churches in the district which are seen as a major tourist attraction.

A partnership of church organisations under the umbrella of Church Tourism Initiative, in partnership with Yorkshire Tourist Board, local authorities and the Moors and Dales National Park authorities.

"Visits to churches can add considerably to the quality of the visitor experience," said Mr Hayward.

Tourism surgeries to give marketing expertise to those in the holiday business in Ryedale are also planned together with several promotional campaigns.

Branding the name of North Yorkshire as a tourism package with Scarborough, Hambleton and Richmondshire councils is also planned by RDC, together with advertising campaigns and publication of brochures and leaflets also form part of the promotional campaign.

* A new report published by the District Council shows that visitors to Helmsley and Pickering stay for an average of five or six nights, are aged between 45 and 64, are in the C1 social economic group, and would recommend both market towns to others.

Their main reasons for visiting were driving, cycling or walking in the countryside.

Geographical figures show that the 20 per cent of visitors are from the South East, 18 per cent from Yorkshire, 12 per cent from the North West, 11 per cent the East Midland, and six per cent from Scotland.

Overall the type of tourists are wealthy older families with spacious homes, professional couples, affluent commuters, or retired homeowners.

Some 83 per cent of Ryedale's staying visitors come between April and October.

Updated: 11:50 Tuesday, April 17, 2001