Sales outfit has come on board to handle worldwide sales on West Is West, the sequel to BAFTA-award winner East Is East which grossed over £10m in the UK in 1999.

The new film, which is also being financed by BBC Films, is written by the same writer Ayub Khan-Din and directed by Andy De Emmony (Fantabulosa).

In the sequel, the Khan family journeys from Salford in northern England to rural Pakistan in 1975.

Original cast members Om Puri, Jimi Mistry and Linda Bassett return in the cast with newcomer Aquib Khan taking the key role of 13 year-old son Sajid.

Leslee Udwin of Assassin Films is producing the new film which Icon will distribute itself in the UK; IEI is handling all other territories. Principal photography is set to begin next month.