Pete Postlethwaite joins fight for UK Film Council

Shropshire's Oscar-nominated Hollywood star Pete Postlethwaite today joined the nation's leading actors and actresses in condemning moves to scrap the UK Film Council.

Mr Postlethwaite, who has appeared in films part-funded by the organisation and lives near Bishop's Castle, was responding to plans by the Coalition Government to scrap the organisation.

His signature was added to a letter also signed by such stars as Bill Nighy, Timothy Spall and Emily Blunt.

The group of thespians warn that the decision over the industry support body threatened a "British success story".

They argued that the success of films like Bend It Like Beckham, In The Loop and Gosford Park, had given the council a value of £4.5 billion to the UK economy.

Their letter said: "We all owe any success we have had in our acting careers, to varying degrees, to films supported by the UK Film Council.

"Everyone, including those in the film industry, knows that times are tough and the Government has to make savings.

"But the UKFC doesn't waste money, it makes it. For every pound it invests, the country gets £5 back."

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced the closure plans last month.

He said he wanted to establish "a direct and less bureaucratic relationship with the British Film Institute" and hoped ­that Government and Lottery support for film would continue.