LIVERPOOL’S growing film industry will make more money for the city than ever before by the end of 2009, new figures show.

Industry experts said filming on Merseyside will net £14m for the city region’s economy – £2m more than 2008’s total.

They also revealed acclaimed director Ken Loach will spend five weeks here in October filming his new movie, Route Irish.

August was a bumper month for movie makers in the city, with 106 film days being filmed here, equalling the busiest month ever seen.

The latest figures were released in Liverpool Film Office’s quarterly report to Liverpool City Council, which provides its funding.

Cllr Gary Millar, Liverpool’s executive member for enterprise and tourism, said last night: “Liverpool is now rightly regarded as one of the UK’s film meccas, be it as a location or a source of inspiration.

“Over the last decade, the city has matured in how it sells itself to the major film companies, while just as critically developing a successful conveyor belt of fantastic writers and producers who are experts in turning ideas into reality.

“The accumulated experience of hosting Hollywood blockbusters and home-grown films has created a pool of talent, from technicians to actors, that is having a major impact on our economy and the city’s worldwide profile.”

The Film Office, which was the first of its kind in the country, was instrumental in persuading Potter makers Warner Bros to return to the city for their Queensway tunnel shoot.