Miguel Hernandez was a celebrated  Republican poet  and the town hall in Elche has decided to part finance a film about his life.

The local authority will contribute 36,000 euros to allow the script to be written..

The film is due to be shot at the end of 2009 and will be released in 2010 to coincide with the centenary of his birth.

The total cost for the production will be 25 million euros and it is hoped that the film will become a major international success.