A YATE-based film company is about to release a historical documentary which it hopes will really take off.

1st Take has produced a commemorative film, End of the Runway, to mark the closure of Filton Airfield.

The 100-minute DVD includes footage from the last three months of operations at the much-loved airstrip, interviews with over 20 staff and crew as well as memorable shots from famous landings and take-offs.

The film includes the flight of a replica Boxkite, flown by former chief test pilot Godfrey Auty’s from Bedfordshire. He landed at Filton in 1968 in front of thousands of spectators.

The first flight of Concorde from Filton to Fairford on April 9, 1969 is a highlight of the programme, with commentary from senior flight operations officer Bob Griffin, who describes it has one of those great moments in his life.

Concorde’s final flight to Filton on November 2003 and the A380 and Beluga transport aircraft are featured.

The film also contains exclusive coverage of the 2010 Filton Air Show, now historically the last major event on the famous airstrip Andy Warren, who has written, produced and directed parts of the film, said it had been great fun to do.

“We as a company have made over 90 local and national documentaries including one about the Britannia crash of 1957,” he said. “So when we heard about the airfield closing this felt like a natural progression.

“We wanted to look at the history of the airfield, which has employed thousands of people. It is quite an emotional time but this film is absolutely packed with memories.”

The film company, which has been based on Sunnyside Lane in Yate for the past 20 years, gained exclusive access to the airfield for the three months up until it closed on December 21.

Mr Warren said a team of four had worked tirelessly on the documentary, something a television production company would have assigned at least 20 people to.

“We are absolutely blown away with it,” he added. “We have really enjoyed making it and have had some great fun.

“We will make as many copies of the film as are required and hope people enjoy watching it too.”

The DVD is available from www.1st-take.com