GWENT is fast becoming one of British film-makers' favourite locations - for both the silver and small screen.

The film Arthur's Dyke, due to be released in cinemas this month, was shot in Monmouthshire last year.

And this week Tredegar has been used as the location for a new one-off drama called Facing Demons, which stars Denise Welch, of Coronation Street and Soldier, Soldier fame.

Part of the BBC's social action week, which begins on March 15, it focuses on the issue of testicular cancer.

The drama is the brainchild of producer Peter Watkin-Hughes, who was brought up in Brynmawr and who now lives in Tredegar. The idea came to him because a friend mentioned several years ago that he had a lump in his testicle.

"He wanted us to see what we thought and we all, to a man, told him where to go. "But that stayed with me over the years - it brought it home how men are not proactive about their health."

The drama also stars Vincenzo Pellegrino, from Casualty, and John Alderton, from My Wife Next Door and Please, Sir!

It is about a young policeman called Adam, whose girlfriend, Alison, discovers a lump in his testicle.

Peter wanted to film the drama in Blaenau Gwent because it is an area known for its health problems - "and it also has a fantastic landscape". Some of the scenes were shot on the moorland at Trefil, and others in houses at Dukestown.

The last day of filming was carried out at Tredegar police station. The cast and crew paid tribute to the welcome they received in Tredegar. Denise Welch was particularly impressed with the service when she went for a massage at local beauty parlour Circle of Beauty.

"I ended up getting a lift home from the masseuse's boyfriend!" she added. "John, Vincenzo and I have had an enthusiastic reception from the local people. It's like the reception I get in Manchester, which is where I come from."

Facing Demons will be shown on Tuesday, March 19, on BBC One Wales.

*PICTURED: Vincenzo Pellegrino in a scene from Facing Demons being filmed in Tredegar.