A FILM starring comedian Billy Connolly begins filming in the North-East today.

Jimmy Spud, described as "a moving modern comedy about urban family", has a screenplay by Newcastle writer Lee Hall. He wrote Dancer, which was filmed in and around Easington last year and was premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. He also wrote the play Cooking With Elvis, which is currently running in London's West End in a production from Newcastle's Live Theatre company.

Jimmy Spud also stars Royal Shakespeare Company actor Iain Glen and Rosie Rowell. The cast includes local youngster Mark Ross, 14, from Coundon.

The movie is shooting on locations in and around Newcastle for a week, as well asLondon and the Isle of Man.