The cult US fantasy series Game of Thrones will return to Northern Ireland to film a fourth series, it has been confirmed.

The news came as First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness announced they had received confirmation from American broadcasters HBO.

The show is based on a series of fantasy books by George RR Martin and has already won numerous awards and nominations.

NI Screen, Invest NI and the European Regional Development Fund will provide funding.

Mr Robinson said: "Securing the filming of series four is proof that Northern Ireland can host large-scale productions with positive spin-off into other sectors such as tourism, where we can showcase stunning locations such as the Causeway Coast and the Glens, Ballintoy and Murlough Bay, to name but a few.

"The success of Game of Thrones shows our commitment to leave no stone unturned when seeking to secure such international productions. We travelled to Los Angeles to press the case for the Northern Ireland film industry and to encourage HBO to return to film their fourth series.

"We have seen the economic impact of an estimated £65m across the three seasons and we want to grow our local film industry to attract more international projects of this scale."

Mr McGuinness said: "Meeting with HBO senior executives at the launch of Game of Thrones series three in Los Angeles last month shows we are prepared to go the extra mile to secure such an internationally renowned production for our local film industry. The credibility associated with a project of this scale has significant potential for our economy.

"A very important part of this large-scale inward investing production is the training and skills development for the local industry.

"We are focused on maximising the economic value of series four and building on the employment levels of the previous series where over 800 people were working on the production.

"NI Screen is working in partnership with the NI Tourist Board and Titanic Belfast to exploit the success of HBO's production through the Game of Thrones exhibition in June."

(IT/CD)