PRUDHOE’S wonderful link to the silver screen could see the town featured on small screens across the country.

Hollywood star Henry Travers is best-known for his role as novice angel Clarence Odbody in beloved Christmas film It ’s a Wonderful Life.

And last year, it was discovered that the actor is a son of Prudhoe, born in the town on March 5, 1875.

Plans were quickly put in motion to erect a commemorative plaque to the actor in the town.

Suggestions were even made to install a small bell next to the plaque – in memory of the film’s immortal line: “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.”

The plans to honour Henry appear to have lost momentum after receiving a lukewarm response from a number of councillors at a Prudhoe Town Council meeting in February.

However, after hearing about the plaque, a television producer has contacted the town council regarding plans for a BBC documentary.

Freelance television producer Jo Curtis wrote to town mayor Coun. Jennifer McGee explaining that she was working with production company, Chalkman Productions.

The letter, which was briefly discussed at the last meeting of Prudhoe Town Council, states that Chalkman Productions is pitching an hour-long programme to celebrate the 70th anniversary of It’s a Wonderful Life.

The documentary would seek to investigate the legacy of a film which went from box office flop to beloved classic.

In the letter, Jo Curtis says she has been working with the people of Seneca Falls.

The US town is known as ‘the real Bedford Falls,’ and is thought to have inspired the fictional town in the film.

Jo wrote: “Our contact there at Seneca Falls told us that Prudhoe was recently discovered as the former home of Henry Travers (who played Clarence Odbody, the rookie angel).

“I’m sure that, like us, many viewers will be surprised to learn Henry was an English actor.”

She concludes by asking whether plans to install the plaque were still ongoing.

Councillors agreed that the letter would be placed on the agenda for the next town council meeting for further discussion.

Speaking after the meeting, Coun. McGee said: “I’ve got a copy of the birth certificate to say that he was born here; I would hope something can be done to mark that.

“I think we would welcome documentary makers coming to the town.

“It would be a good thing to do; if Prudhoe is going to be highlighted, that can only be a positive.

“The film is known world-wide and to have some connection with it, especially on its 70th anniversary would be great.

“There are groups of people who would come to see the town for that reason alone.”