Filming in England data shows productions spent £15.5m in the region in the first quarter, more than anywhere else in the country.

The West Midlands Combined Authority credits the return of Peaky Blinders, the relocation of Silent Witness and the filming of Bollywood productions.

Filming has also just wrapped on The Cadburys, a six-part drama about the Birmingham chocolate-making family, due on U and UDRAMA in 2027. It features local crew and three Birmingham actors in the cast.

The new series of Peaky Blinders was filmed in the region with support from Production Central WM.

Peaky Blinders, Silent Witness and The Cadburys have provided hundreds of days of work this year for technical crew, make-up artists, and costume and set designers, many of whom live locally.

West Midlands mayor Richard Parker has now opened a Content Production Fund to applications from producers and directors.

A third round of the IP Content Fund, run with Creative UK, will run alongside it.

The IP Content Fund has so far supported the development of 25 TV, film and digital projects over two years, including a reboot of Bagpuss by Birmingham-based Threewise Entertainment and the BBC’s The Hairdresser Mysteries, made by Birmingham’s Mill Bay Media.

The creative industries are worth almost £4bn a year to the regional economy, with around 13,700 businesses supporting 38,000 jobs, the mayor told the West Midlands Growth Summit in Coventry.

Partners are working to unlock £100m for the sector, to fund jobs, skills, studio space and homes, centred on the regeneration of Digbeth in Birmingham.

The BBC has almost doubled its production spend in the region and will move to its new Birmingham HQ at the Tea Factory next year.

The region’s first major studios have also opened at Digbeth Loc, spearheaded by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.

Mr Parker said: “With these new funds I’m announcing today more people will get the opportunities they need to build an exciting career in the West Midlands rather than having to leave.”

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the £100m investment would “give new writers, producers and creatives the backing to bring their ideas to life”.