Barking and Dagenham Council’s leader has sent a good luck message to Sally Hawkins who has been nominated for best actress at the Oscars for her role in the Shape of Water.

Councillor Darren Rodwell said: “Like most Brits, I hope Sally Hawkins grabs an Oscar, not only for her role in Shape of Water.

“But I am also biased because of her great acting in Made in Dagenham, which showcased the best of our borough’s strong women.”

Cllr Rodwell was speaking before the tender process to bring London’s largest film studios and media complex to a 20 acre-site on former brownfield land in Dagenham ends on 16 March.

Cllr Rodwell said:

“I will look forward to seeing Sally and other great stars in films Made in Dagenham when we bring London’s largest studios to this borough.”

Pat Hayes, Managing Director of Be First, Barking and Dagenham Council’s regeneration company, which is managing the tender exercise, said: 

“We’ve had tremendous interest from a range of really top notch operators. So, we’re confident that it will not be long before Dagenham becomes famous for films and not just Fords.”

For more details go to www.dagenham-studios.com