FANS of North-East icon Catherine Cookson are being asked to help fund a TV film based on one of her best-loved novels.

Producer Ray Marshall, who has already brought 18 of her novels to TV, is launching an ambitious plan to raise the finance for the three-hour film adaptation of Katie Mulholland.

But he wants Cookson fans up and down the country to buy the video or DVD before it is even made.

Their money will provide the financial backing for the film. About 200,000 fans will have to pledge their support to make the plan work.

Although the Cookson TV dramas were popular with viewers, attracting audiences of more than nine million, ITV stopped making the films in 2001.

"I'm constantly being asked when we're going to be making another," said Mr Marshall, of London-based Festival Films.

"The fact is that without ITV funding, making another mini-series just hasn't been possible. But the demand is still there."

Previous productions have been filmed in the North-East with stars including Catherine Zeta Jones, Sean Bean, Robson Green, Nigel Havers, James Fox and Billie Whitelaw.

Mr Marshall said the idea of getting people to buy the video or DVD in advance has not been tried before.

"But there are enough of her fans out there to make it work," he said.

They will pay £15.99 to pre-buy the film, which will be delivered to them just before Christmas next year.

It will be a limited edition, including a documentary about the making of the film and out-takes.

"It will be made available exclusively to Cookson angels," said Mr Marshall. "They will not only help us to create a new Cookson adaptation, they will also be able to own something not available to anyone else."

He said the loyal Cookson audience would make the plan viable.

"Our Cookson dramas sell very well on video - and that's after they've been watched by millions on TV. So we feel it's not an impossible goal. If only 2.5 per cent of the normal nine million viewing audience were to buy, we would hit our target."

Orders can be made by sending a cheque or postal order for £15.99 (including postage and package), made payable to Katie Mulholland, at Katie Mullholland, PO Box 39275, London SE3 0ZR,

Published: 08/10/2004