A NEW drive is being launched to train film assistants in Scotland.

The Production Guild of Great Britain is recruiting 15 Scottish location assistants and runners to be trained by location managers.

The Assistant Location Manager Training Scheme is designed to meet a "growing need for more experienced location department crew working in film and high-end television production".

Alison Small, chief executive of The Production Guild, said: "Location teams play a key role in ensuring the Scottish film and television production sector maintains its competitive edge.

"With the new UK tax reliefs for high-end television production and the extension to the UK film tax relief, we are confident that we will be seeing growing employment opportunities."

The scheme is being managed by Harriet Lawrence, who said: "The location team is at the forefront of a shoot and enables all departments on a production to work effectively so it is essential departments are at the top of their game."

The scheme is subsidised by Creative Skillset, the industry skills body for the creative industries.