THE world premiere of The One and Only will be staged in Newcastle next week - the first in a string of high-profile films focusing on the region.

Dubbed the Notting Hill of the North and featuring Patsy Kensit, The One and Only has been shot almost entirely in Tyneside and includes scenes of the Baltic Centre, Millennium Bridge and Gateshead riverfront.

Even the Angel of the North is said to play a significant part in the film, which tells the story of two mismatched couples.

The film's makers were so impressed with the region they have decided to premiere the romantic comedy at the Odeon, Newcastle, on Tuesday. It will be released in the rest of the country later in the week.

But the film's distributors have scotched rumours that Victoria Beckham will be attending the premiere, saying she was invited by the producer but will not be making an appearance.

Two other films set in the North-East are also in the pipeline.

Peter Howitt, the writer and director of hit film Sliding Doors, is to begin filming his next project, The Other Half, in the summer.

The film tells the story of a girl from South Shields who decides to break away from her predictable life to work in France.

Next month, filming begins on The School of Seduction,which is about a Geordie girl who is coached in the art of seduction by an Italian femme fatale.

The Northern Screen and Media Commission says film-makers are discovering the potential of the region, which is peppered with landmarks and locations, ranging from rambling castles to industrial and coastal landscapes.

Paul Mingard, from the commission, said on average they get 200 inquiries a year about filming in the region, at least 90 of which are from film-makers.

The commission helped the makers of The One and Only to find local film crews and locations.

Mr Mingard said: "There is quite a lot of involvement from the region in this kind of project. A lot of jobs are created. People get to work on productions, there are local extras and work for security and transport companies.

"Spending depends on the kind of project it is, but I imagine £5m a year is spent in the region by these companies."

Top ten landmark scene-stealers

1 GET CARTER - Cult gangster film staring Michael Caine. Shot largely in Newcastle and Gateshead.

2 BILLY ELLIOT - Jamie Bell stars as the ballet-loving schoolboy growing up in an East Durham pit village. Shot mostly in East Durham and includes scene on the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge.

3 PURELY BELTER - Story of two lads and their desperate bid to get a Newcastle season ticket. Shot in and around Newcastle and Gateshead.

4 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and the Chamber of Secrets - Many of the antics of JK Rowling's schoolboy wizard were shot at Durham Cathedral, Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

5 Elizabeth - Shot at Bamburgh and Alnwick castles, in Northumberland, York Minster and Raby and Walworth castles, in Teesdale.

6 Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves - Starring Kevin Costner, scenes were shot at Aysgarth Falls, in North Yorkshire, Hadrian's Wall, in Northumberland and Hulne Priory, near Alnwick.

7 The Likely Lads - The 1970 film based on the television series was shot in Tyneside.

8 Mary Queen of Scots - Historic epic, filmed at Bamburgh and Alnwick castles.

9 Stormy Monday - Gangster thriller starring Sean Bean, filmed in the North-East in the mid-1980s.

10 Casino Royale - A spoof of the Bond movies starring David Niven. The former Lord Bolton had to stand-in for David Niven in a grouse- shooting scene on the Bolton estate, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire