The LondonDevelopment Agency is poised to acquire 3 Mills Studios, the East Londontelevision and film studios, as part of a drive to boost London's creativeindustries.

Thestudios will be managed by the LDA with the advice of industry body FilmLondon, the new strategic body responsible for supporting filming in London andpromoting London as a filming destination. The London Development Agency isMayor Ken Livingstone's agency for boosting business and jobs.

3 MillsStudios in east London is currently home to TV's Bad Girls and Footballers'Wives, as well as Warner Bros Productions new Tim Burton animation TheCorpse Bride. Films that were shot at 3 Mills include 28 Days Laterand Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

TonyWinterbottom, director of regeneration and development at the LDA, said: 'TheLDA has acquired 3 Mills studios as part of its ongoing commitment to developthe capital's creative strengths through its Creative London project. Weannounced in April at the launch of Creative London that we were going to setup ten creative hubs providing flexible workspace and support facilities. 3Mills will form a key part of east London's creative hub.'

AdrianWootton, chief executive of Film London, said: "The development of world classstudio facilities in East London is of enormous importance to the overallgrowth of the film and TV industry in the capital.'

HarryPlatt, chief executive of Workspace Group plc, said: 'Workspace Group plcbought 3 Mills as a semi-derelict site in 1995. We feel that now is the righttime to hand the studios over to the LDA, who with the input of Film London,and their mutual commitment to the creative industries, can build on oursuccess.'

Mayor KenLivingstone said: 'London is beginning to see the positive impact that FilmLondon and Creative London are already having on creative industries, which area vital part of the capital's economy and its future prosperity. 3 Millsillustrates the important role the London Development Agency can play and willhelp strengthen London's position as a city to make films in.'