A MEDIA and entertainment lawyer from London is to be the new head of public film funding in Scotland.

Creative Scotland, the national arts funding body, has finally filled the position after having to advertise the £55,000 a year post twice.

Natalie Usher, currently a partner at Lee & Thompson, a leading media law firm, will take up the post in early May.

Ms Usher, 44, from London, specialises in law regarding the financing, production and distribution of film and TV and in her current role represents producers and financiers.

A statement from Creative Scotland said: "Natalie has extensive ­experience of working with the film and TV sector in Scotland, the UK and internationally and has worked with a large number of ­Scottish producers."

Before her current position, she was a senior executive at the UK Film Council, where she was the legal adviser to the New Cinema Fund.

She said: "Scotland has a huge wealth of creative talent. I relish the opportunity to be part of a team whose ambition is to create an environment that can bring out the best that Scotland's film and media industries have to offer."

Creative Scotland is looking for ways to increase the money available to films in Scotland, possibly through European funding, as well as the National Lottery.

Its chief executive Janet Archer said: "Natalie brings with her a huge amount of understanding and practical knowledge about Film and TV production, financing and distribution.

"Importantly, she also brings extensive experience of making positive things happen."