HOMEOWNERS across Oxfordshire have been given the opportunity to create their own piece of cinema history.

Not-for-profit organisation Film Oxford has created a new website which promotes the county as a film and television location.

The Location Oxfordshire site lists areas which could be used for filming, and organisers have appealed for people to nominate their own properties, regardless of their size or worth, on the web.

The scheme, which is funded by the Oxfordshire Economic Partnership and the city and county councils, also offers a free directory to promote local services including accommodation, catering and film equipment.

Locations can be added to the site free. Film Oxford generates revenue by taking a 10 per cent cut of any business generated through it.

Geron Swann, from the East Oxford-based partnership, said: “The new website is all about offering TV and film a helping hand when they come to Oxfordshire, and presenting a shop window of local locations and local services.

“Scripts dictate locations – it could be Blenheim Palace and Christ Church but it could also be your street or my street.”

He added: “There’s been a tail off in filming in the county in the last year or so, so we’re keen to get our profile as wide as possible.

“Any location could be used, the quirkier the better. We’ve had one request for a council house with an overgrown garden.

“It could be your garden in the next Harry Potter or your terraced house in a new TV drama blockbuster, you never know.

“I’m sure we are going to unearth some hidden gems.”

Mr Swann said the site was unique in the county, adding: “We’ve been working towards it for the last five years and we’re already noticing that the number of film and TV companies registering for permits has almost trebled.

“By May we’ve already hit our target for the whole of last year, so something is working.”

The website, which will soon be presented to the Guild of Location Managers in London, also contains downloadable maps of some of the Oxfordshire locations used in the Harry Potter films, The Golden Compass and Morse.

Mr Swann said: “Film tourism is becoming more and more popular and statistics now suggest one in five visitors come to the area because they have seen a location on the large or small screen. These downloadable tours will give visitors more to do while they are here. They may even think about staying in the area a little longer.”

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk For more details, visit location oxfordshire.co.uk or email info@location oxfordshire.co.uk