MOVIE stars could be on their way to north Kent after a law was passed to allow roads to be closed during filming.

Legislation passed on Tuesday (July 27) has made Kent County Council (KCC) the only authority outside of London to have the power to close roads for shooting films.

KCC’s Kent Film Office has already generated more than £14million since it was set up four years ago, and the council expects the new law to make the county even more popular as a location.

Director of strategic development and public access Tanya Oliver said: "We can now offer filmmakers a real flexibility to meet their needs and that's going to make us an even more attractive prospect.”

Scenes for a Harry Potter movie were shot in Dartford last year, and other hits which have filmed in Kent include The Other Boleyn Girl, Vanity Fair and The Golden Compass.

BBC dramas have also taken advantage of the county’s rural locations, with productions such as Emma, starring Michael Gambon, and Is Anybody There?, starring Michael Caine, filmed here.

KCC cabinet member for regeneration and economic development Councillor Kevin Lynes says Kent is an ideal shooting location for a wide range of films.

He said: "Our wonderfully diverse county has everything from dramatic landscapes and historical settings to modern, urban backdrops.”

A KCC spokeswoman said the needs of residents and businesses will be taken into account before roads are closed for filming.