IT has been the scene of much drama over the years with thousands of criminals passing through its doors.

But now a former Bolton police station could become the scene of more action . . . with lights and cameras thrown in for good measure.

The Bolton News TV crew made a video revealing the history of the police station last year. Watch it agian HERE

Bolton County Police Station, known locally as the Castle Street police station, could soon establish itself as a favourite film location with movie makers.

Although it ceased to be used as police station last September, the Grade II listed building has been named film location of the month by Northwest Vision and Media and now it is being promoted for its big - and small - screen potential.

The building, which dates back to 1876, is now owned by training and consultancy company OLC (Europe).

It has spent £500,000 buying and refurbishing the building and there are plans to turn parts of it into a museum.

The cells and original courtroom have been preserved, together with the original windows, wooden courtroom dock and public gallery.

Mark Milaszewicz, OLC general manager, said: "There's so much history to the place, and every room seems to have its own character and style.

"We all love working here, and I'm sure once word gets out that we'd welcome films crews, then even more people will get to see this fabulous building."

Managing director Chris Bamber said: "It is a big building and allows us to expand without moving premises.

"The police station's listed status will have put other companies off because of the limitations that imposes, its the character was an attraction for us."

The company invited Susan Williams, Greater Manchester film officer with Northwest Vision and Media, which promotes TV and film production in the region, to look around.

Vision and Media has a vast database of film locations and has named the police station as its August film location of the month.

Susan said: "When I walked inside the building, I could hardly believe how fantastic it was.

"We often get requests from film and TV companies wanting exactly this type of building and now we've got something on our location database which I know people will be very keen to explore.

"Even the long walk down to the cells is still there. It's really quite creepy to retrace the steps of former prisoners.

"We're delighted to have discovered this gem and we're confident it will prove to be a highly-prized film location."

Under the main courtroom, there are six cells. Some still have the original beds inside - essentially planks of wood screwed to the walls.

All the doors and windows inside the cells are the originals, too. In addition, there is also an incident room, a darkroom where police used to develop photographic evidence, eight garages, stables and outside loos.