A FILM based on the Take That songbook is to be shot in an East Lancashire market town.

The post-pandemic feelgood movie, Greatest Days, will shoot in Clitheroe and the surrounding countryside.

Delighted Ribble Valley Council bosses said the project will showcase the charm of Clitheroe and beauty of the borough to a global audience.

The film is based on the stage musical, The Band, about a group of women who reunite after 25 years to see their favourite pop act.

It follows the success of musical 'juke box' movies like Mamma Mia and will feature 16 of Take That’s greatest hits as well as new material.

Greatest Days is described as ‘a feelgood universal story of love and friendship’ and will introduce us to five schoolgirls – Rachel, Heather, Zoe, Claire and Debbie – who live in Clitheroe and have the night of their lives at a concert featuring their favourite boyband.

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Twenty-five years later, after their lives have changed in many ways, they reunite to reminisce about their past, including Debbie’s untimely death, and discover their future.

The film will be directed by multi-BAFTA-winning Coky Giedroyc (How to Build a Girl) and written by Tim Firth (The Band, Calendar Girls and Kinky Boots) who is no stranger to Clitheroe as he holidayed in the town as a child and has fond memories of the area.

Greatest Days will be shot at numerous locations across the town and the surrounding countryside, with a big song and dance number at Clitheroe Castle.

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Ribble Valley Council leader Cllr Stephen Atkinson said: “We are delighted that Greatest Days is to be filmed in Clitheroe.

“The last two years have been the most challenging the borough has ever faced and this film is just the tonic we need as we move into the post-pandemic period.

“Greatest Days will showcase the delights and beauty of our borough to a global audience.”

Jonny Shelton, production liaison manager for Filming in England, said: “The UK’s screen industries have bounced back faster than any other industry post-pandemic.

“This content boom is providing unsurpassed opportunity and the English regions are at the forefront of it.

“We are always on the lookout for unique locations and Clitheroe certainly fits the bill for this feelgood movie that will bring the town’s charm to a global audience."

The film’s all-star cast and filming dates are expected to be announced shortly.