Darlington may seem an unlikely location to shoot a film, but the spotlight will be on the town this summer for a new Bollywood-style movie.

The short film, still to be named, will be produced at Darlington Railway Centre and Museum and residents are invited to play a part, either in front of the camera or behind the scenes.

The museum has been given a £20,000 grant by Government funding body Renaissance In The Regions, which provides funding for museums nationwide to promote cultural diversity.

The film will be premiered at a Bollywood family weekend to run at the museum on November 12 and 13.

The script has been written by Nishit Bhatia, who came to Sunderland University from Delhi to study film.

It is hoped award-winning Northumberland film-maker Tony Glover will produce it.

It will star two professional actors, who are still to be announced, and a cast made up of residents.

Lee Vasey, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for leisure said: "This is a great project and a fantastic way to engage with people from ethnic backgrounds."

Ideally, the makers would like to produce a 35-minute film, but more funding will be needed.

Applications for more grants have been submitted and the museum is also looking for sponsorship.

Auditions will be held for local dancers, actors and singers who want to join in.

Anyone who would like to get involved in the project, or wants to offer sponsorship, is asked to call the museum on (01325) 734122.