MAGNIFICENT Heaton Hall is fast becoming a popular film location for the small screen.

The Grade I listed building, situated in the grounds of Heaton Park, forms the stunning backdrop for a new BBC Three drama being shown on Sunday.

The much-publicised Casanova, written by Queer as Folk creator Russell T. Davies, documents the frivolous lifestyle of the 18th century playboy.

And many of the extravagant party scenes were filmed inside the beautifully restored hall.

Film crews were in the park over three days in December and concentrated the scenes in four rooms of the hall; the library, the anti-library, music room and staircase hall.

Russell Miller is the business development manager at Manchester Art Gallery and is responsible for the commercial hire of Heaton Hall for filming and photography.

He said: "The hall was chosen because of its magnificent 18th century neo-classical country house set and beautifully restored rooms with their ornate plasterwork, fine mahogony doors and furnishings."

As well as Casanova, the hall has been used as a film location for other television dramas such as Island at War, The Baby War and the grounds of Heaton Park were used in Caroline Quentens Von Trapped.

Income generated from location filming and photography contributes towards the running costs of Manchester City Galleries, of which Heaton Hall is a venue.

Terms and conditions of filming are some of the most stringent in the region but several pre-production meetings are held to ensure the hall comes to no harm.

In fact, the Casanova director originally wanted to film inside the halls famous Pompeiian Cupola Room, which features decorative paintings by Italian artist Biagio Rebecca, but the request was turned down for conservation reasons.

Heaton Hall has a thriving support group of local volunteers, the Friends of Heaton Hall, who help to maintain and promote the venue.

The hall is open to the public from Saturday, March 26 to Sunday, October 2, from 10.30am to 5pm from Wednesday to Sunday and on Bank Holidays.

An exhibition of photographs depicting "Park Life" will be on show throughout that time.