Plenty of big names have visited Sheppey in the past - but it might interest film fans to know we narrowly missed out on the chance to add Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt to that list.

There has been much coverage in the national media in the past few weeks about "Brangelina" - as he and girlfriend Angelina Jolie are known - chartering a whole train to get them to Glasgow to film scenes for his new zombie movie World War Z.

It is thought the positive impact of the filming will generate

£2 million for the local economy.

But while Glaswegians celebrate their famous guests, others further south are rubbing their wounds because the filming had been due to take place in various locations around Kent.

The Sheppey Crossing had been discussed as a possibility after the production team behind the movie was enticed to the county by a disused Morrisons store in Tunbridge Wells.

Gabrielle Lindemann, film officer for Kent County Council, explained that once production teams have been attracted to a main location, they look around the area to see where else they could use.

It was hoped the Sheppey Crossing, as well as places in Dartford and Canterbury, could be used as "add-on" locations. But once the planned filming in Tunbridge Wells was pulled due to a re-schedule, all the other possible locations in Kent fell through as well.

However, it has also been revealed the Highways Agency turned down the production company's request to close the bridge for a half-day on a Saturday in July for filming, meaning Sheppey would not have made the cut even if it had gone ahead in Tunbridge Wells.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: "We have a legal duty to keep the strategic road network open to the public and we would normally only close an entire section of a route during the day under exceptional circumstances.

"We were also concerned about the potential impact on the Island of the road closure and associated diversion on a Saturday at the height of the summer holiday season.

"In view of all of the above the request was declined."

Ms Lindemann added that KCC had got as far as speaking with Swale council and a few local traders when the filming was pulled in Tunbridge Wells.

A spokesman for Swale council said: "As a council we are always willing to accommodate any requests to film in the borough, as showing the benefits and beauty of Swale is great publicity and we recognise that.

"Having a major feature film filmed in the borough would have been fantastic, and there is a huge fanbase for films of this nature.

"We were on board and co-operating with the project, but having expressed a strong interest in pursuing the possibility further, that is unfortunately as far as it got as the main location fell through.

"It's a shame but it shows that there is a lot going for the area and that film-makers and programme-makers are interested in coming here, and we will do all we can to work with the Kent Film Office if any other opportunities present themselves."

KCC film officer Gabrielle Lindemann said everyone was in support of the project and the production company was impressed with the response it had.

She said: "One of the producers called personally to thank everyone involved in making preparations and said that the support received had been excellent and Kent would be considered for future projects.

"Filming generates valuable income for the Kent economy and we will continue working to attract this type of high-profile filming to the county."