The UK Film Council and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are committing funds to the development of a new trade body for the post-production sector.

The UK Film Council and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are committing funds to the development of a new trade body for the post-production sector.

The new association - representing television, film and commercials post-production - will be put in place to lobby government, broadcasters and producers on technical, legal and workforce issues as well as market the UK as a location for post-production.

A start-up team, headed by a chair and chief executive and a board, will be appointed by the new year and will be given nine months to get sector representation off the ground.

The team will put together a proposal for a trade body and post-production companies will be asked if they want to support it. If a plan is approved the facilities will then be asked to fund the continued running of the body.

The UK post-production sector employs more than 15,000 people and has an annual turnover of more than£1.4bn.