Bradford is set to play a starring role in two Malaysian television dramas – thanks to its status as the world’s first City of Film.

Producers of Kau Tak Pernah Jauh (You’ll Never Be Away) and Mimpi Sabrina (Sabrina’s Dream) approached Bradford Council for permission to film in the city having seen it earn the prestigious Unesco title last year.

Actors and crew spent two days filming around Bank Street and Market Street, Bradford Cathedral and the University of Bradford, where the main characters fulfil their dream of studying overseas.

The programmes are aimed at 16 to 30-year-olds and will be broadcast on a satellite channel watched by about four million people in Malaysia and Brunei later this year.

Councillor the Reverend Paul Flowers, the Council’s portfolio holder responsible for culture, tourism and sport, said: “I am not aware of the city ever being used as a location for a television show or film screened as far away as Malaysia before so it is great the crew enjoyed such a successful shoot.

“It is testament to the power of the City of Film status that these producers would pick Bradford as their preferred location.”

Peg Alexander, director of the City of Film initiative, said: “As the world’s first official Unesco City of Film, one of our aims is to help film- makers see that Bradford is a world-class place to make film.

“We have great facilities in and around Bradford and a real pool of local talent.

“It’s very exciting and we expect to see more of this in the future.”

In an e-mail to the Council, programme producer Faiz Helimi said: “We were impressed with the people, the city and how the Council managed this cool and vibrant place.

“We hope we may be able to promote Bradford.”