MUMBAI: Three UK production companies will be the first to benefit from a new BBC fund.

They are Twofour Productions, Pier Productions and Multi Media Arts. They had applied for the £100,000 You Don't Need To Live In London fund.

The fund aims to boost regional production in the UK unearthing talent which would benefit hugely from a cash injection. The announcement followed a tough selection process which attracted applicants from throughout the UK. They had never previously produced network entertainment.

The above mentioned companies will be mentored by BBC Entertainment senior commissioning executive Alan Brown. They will develop and shape their ideas over the course of a year. Twofour Productions has made mostly leisure/lifestyle programmes with recent credits including Gardens Through Time (BBC Two), Accidents Can Happen (BBC One), The City Gardener (Channel 4).

Pier Productions was selected on the basis of its strong track record in radio production in drama, factual and comedy. Multi Media Arts makes factual and factual entertainment shows such as Reality Bites, Powerhouse and The Blizzard of Odd.

BBC Entertainment commissioning controller Jane Lush said, "We were all impressed by the quality of the applicants and the final decision was a hard one. Twofour Productions, Pier Productions and Multi Media Arts demonstrated creativity coupled with very promising ideas and I look forward to seeing our relationships develop over the next few months."