THEY have shot videos for a number of high-profile bands including The Blackout, Bodyrox and Of Mice & Men.

And now the lads behind a local independent video production company, Sitcom Soldiers, hope their new home next to an old mill will entice more bands to the town.

The company, headed by Ben Thornley, aged 31, has grown from strength to strength since it was founded 12 years ago — a feat which was celebrated at a special launch party at the new studio at Sunnyside Business Centre, Daubhill.

Mr Thornley, who lives in Bromley Cross, said: “It’s really exciting to know that we can do everything from the studio rather than going here, there and everywhere like we have in the past — which of course means that we will be bringing a number of really good bands to Bolton that might not have come here otherwise.

“What’s great about the new place is it used to be an old mill so there’s a chimney stack just behind us — you couldn’t get any more traditionally Bolton than that.

“Before now, we were based at our houses and moved as and when, so this is our first permanent home.”

He added: “I have always been involved with bands myself from a young age and met a director over in LA who was making a music video for my friends.

“He took me under his wing and showed me the ropes and I’ve never looked back.

“I started off properly on my own 12 years ago and now we have seven full-time staff, so it’s about time we moved on to bigger things.”