SOOTY and Basil Brush have made it a successful year for Maidstone Studios, despite uncertainty over its future.

These favourites with children and grown-ups alike have starred in a number of shows produced in the studios at Vinters Park. Other popular series made there include Art Attack, TV Scrabble and Soap Addicts.

Ian Lindsay, studio marketing chief, told guests: "We are here to celebrate the fact we've had a very good year. There's been a lot going on. We have been very busy and I thought: 'Let's celebrate'.

"We want to celebrate the fact that Maidstone is a key player and has some great facilities."

He added that 2003 was set to be another good year, with new post-production facilities, edit suite and studio upgrades.

The departure of Polish satellite TV station Wizja early next year following its takeover by Canal Plus would create further opportunities.

He did not foresee any difficulty filling the vacated space. "We've had a good year and we're going boldly forward," he said.

Cllr Dan Daley, Maidstone council's portfolio holder for economic regeneration and tourism, was among a guest list that included the Bishop of Maidstone and London-based production chiefs.

Cllr Daley said Maidstone was proud of the studios. "Anyone who walks through the doors knows they have come into a really professional area," he said.

The studios have yet to find a new owner following the decision some time ago by Flextech Television, part of cash-strapped cable communications group Telewest, to put them on the market.

However, industry sources claim that a deal is close. Mr Lindsay confirmed that three potential purchasers were in the frame, with one showing more interest than others.