AN authentic 1970s cafe at the Oastler Centre, in Bradford, was the setting for scenes of a major new Yorkshire-based comedy drama being shown in cinemas later this year.

Producers of Funny Cow, starring Maxine Peake, Alan Armstrong and Vic Reeves, chose Fountains Coffee House because of its original and authentic period decor.

Film crews spent all week at the centre and the last day of filming was carried out today.

Chris Georgiou, whose family owns the cafe, said he was delighted the producers of the film has chosen them.

"It's great for us, for Bradford and for the top of town in particular," he said.

"We're thrilled they loved Fountains so much and said they didn't have to do much to create the scenes they are wanting to do."

He added: "It's not the first time we've been used for filming. Fountains was used on two occasions for the Great Train Robbery film and for a BBC documentary about David Hockney.

"We're also on the Scene Yorkshire database for location shoots because of the cafe's authenticity. It's hardly been touched since my father, Paul Georgiou opened it in 1972. He's 86 now and still works. My mum, who is 82, is also still involved."

Mr Georgiou senior came to England from Cyprus in the 1960s and opened a number of cafes around the city, including the Continental Cafe, in Godwin Street, which had a nightclub called the Hole in the Wall underneath. Both venues are now office space.

Gary Barnes, location manager for Funny Cow said the Bradford district has provided some perfect location shoots for the film.

"We heard about this place (Fountains) and that it had retained its original features and when we came to have a look we fell in love with it. We have only had to do a small amount of tweaking," he said.

The film, to be released later this year, charts the rise of a comedienne (Maxine Peake) during the 1960s and 1970s.

A number of scenes were shot in Saltaire showing Peake's character during her childhood in the 1950s.

The production company created a 1950s set in a two-bedroom terraced house in Mary Street. Filming also took place in an alleyway behind Mary Street.

Filming for Funny Cow has also taken place at other Bradford district locations including the Midland Hotel, Bradford Playhouse and Shipley Market Square.

David Wilson, director of Bradford City of Film, said Funny Cow was a further boost to the district.

He said: “We have been working really hard with the production company over the last two or three months."