Director's cut.

Byline: HYWEL TREWYN

ECOLOGISTS have been brought in to ensure trees won't be damaged when Hollywood blockbuster Clash Of The Titans is filmed in Snowdonia.

Preparations have already begun at Dinorwig quarry near Llanberis, Gwynedd for the remake of the 1981 movie which will star some of the biggest names in the film world including Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Sam Worthington, Gemma Arterton and Pete Postlethwaite.

Filming is due to start in about four weeks' time.

The site's owner - electricity generator First Hydro - had asked for vegetation surveys and ecological advice to prevent damage to the area's sensitive ecosystem while the dramatic landscape was being trans-formeinto Ancient Greece.

Quarrying finished 40 years ago.

Since then, various types of vegetation have established themselves on the slate waste despite the fact that it holds few nutrients and little water.

Warner Brothers - the film's producers - has agreed to protect these plants, including the locally abundant but rare Parsley Fern, using methods such as cloches and camouflage.

Warner Brothers was initially look-into remove some of the area's Scattered Birch and Willow trees.

However, following advice from ecologists from civil engineers Capita Symonds Colwyn Bay office - that the trees are very slow growing and provide an ideal habitat for birds, invertebrates and other wildlife - it has been agreed to keep this to an absolute minimum.

Also, where trees are being removed they will now be coppiced - a process of cutting trees down to encourage regrowth - and for every tree felled three will be replanted.

Other advice has included using crawler boards over bog vegetation and strimming vegetation at 50mm where necessary.

Ecologist Dr Polly Spencer-Vellacott said: "Dinorwig slate quarry is a spectacular location for this film and we were able to provide sound botanical advice to safeguard the plant communities from any overzealous set designers."

Tony Thomas from First Hydro said: "This will be a big economic boost for the area. We stipulated that Warner Brothers hire cars, Portakabins, security from local companies and use local hotels and food when Phil Hounam filming here. Ninety percent of the firms should be from North Wales.

"We get lots of requests from companies to film here because the landscape is so special but we normally say 'no' unless we can see there's a benefit to the local area."

"It's going to be exciting seeing huge scorpions flying in through Deiniolen at the cinema."

The film, which is due to open next year, tells of the ancient Greek myth of Perseus and his quest to save the beautiful Princess Andromeda.

The film is directed by Louis Leterrier.

The 10-day shoot will involve around 200 people.

Warner Brother's location manager, Phil Hounam said: "All sorts of things have been bought locally to make filming in Dinorwig possible.

"At a conservative guess, we will be spending at least pounds 1.25m locally as we want to support the community.

We are doing the majority of filming in Tenerife and the landscape should link well with the quarry where we shall be filming numerous scenes, including battles, stunt work and hand-to-hand fighting.

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CAPTION(S):

The production team behind Clash Of The Titans, starring Ralph Fiennes (left) and Liam Neeson, has agreed to keep environmental disruption to a minimum while filming at Dinorwig quarry near Llanberis, Gwynedd Phil Hounam