Brigade to see some TV action.

Cleveland Fire Brigade has teamed up with film makers for a new TV drama set on Teesside.

Yorkshire Television's series aims to show that today's firefighter does more than fight flames.

The seven-part series with the working title of Steel River Blues begins filming on location in Teesside this month.

The drama commissioned by Granada has a cast that includes Daniel Casey (Midsomer Murders), son of North-east TV presenter Luke Casey, and Charles Dale from Coronation Street.

Yorkshire TV script executive Jonathan Critchley, whose credits include Heartbeat and The Royal, has spent months researching the project.

Writers have spent time with fire crews and toured the area with brigade business development director Paul Joyce to learn about the petrochemical and port industries, nuclear power station, seaside and the communities.

Mr Joyce said: "We welcome the opportunity to have this new fire drama set in our brigade area.

"We have a lot to offer. I am sure that Yorkshire TV will find plenty of material and we are delighted to be involved.

"The drama is being launched at an exciting time in the fire service. We are undergoing massive change," he said.

"One of the key messages we aim to highlight is how much the fire service has changed from being a fire-fighting service to a fire-prevention service."

YTV Producer Ken Horn said: "The story of a group of firefighters played against the back drop of this unique area with its communities living so close to industry is a fantastic basis for great drama. We've assembled an excellent cast, developed some great scripts and can't wait to start shooting."