The first feature film made by a Norwich-based company is set to get its world premiere at Cinema City on July 6.

The Haunting of Harry Payne is a genre-breaking original story, blending elements of British gangster films like Get Carter with a terrifying supernatural twist.

It tells the story of ex-gangster Harry Payne who leaves prison after serving time for manslaughter, and retires to a mysterious Norfolk village to care for his disturbed wife Susan.

It was made by EQ Films Ltd, based at Epic Studios in Magdalen Street, with filming completed in Norfolk and Suffolk at the end of last year. Part of the film was shot at the Bird in Hand pub in Wreningham two years ago.

Paul Desira, the film's co-producer, said: 'We have based ourselves in the East Anglia region to take advantage of the many varied and unique locations the area has to offer.

'A long list of talented actors, writers and musicians also live here and we intend making East Anglia a centre of excellence for British filmmaking, capable of competing on the world stage with the best of Hollywood.

'We intend to create original and exciting films in a variety of genres, ranging from the supernatural thrills of Harry Payne to horror, sci-fi, action, thriller, drama, comedy and historical stories for both film and television, all with a uniquely British flavour.'

The film stars a host of well-known television actors, including former The Bill stars, Tony Scannell and Graham Cole, who played in Aladdin at Norwich's Theatre Royal earlier this year, Louis Selwyn, of Coronation Street, and Katie Manning of Doctor Who fame.

Directed by Martyn Pick, it was created by Norwich-based writer, John Mangan and produced by Mr Desira and Andrew Selwyn-Crome. It will be released on DVD and VOD early next year.