BUDDING young actors are being sought for a new big screen version of a timeless children’s story which is set to be filmed in the Lake District.

Arthur Ransome’s famous Swallows and Amazons adventure was first published in 1930 and is now to be brought into the 21st Century by Harbour Pictures and BBC Films.

Filming is set to begin this summer, with Coniston, Windermere, Ullswater and Derwentwater all to feature heavily.

And ahead of the start of shooting, a call has been put out by Dixie Chassay Casting for children to put themselves forward.

The agency’s Isabella Odoffin said casting directors were looking for boys and girls aged between six and 13 for roles.

“There is no need for any previous acting experience, and no specific standard of sailing required,” she said.

The book tells the story of the Walker and Blackett children who, over one summer, share a series of adventures that weave imaginative tales of pirates and exploration into life in rural England.

The most recent silver screen adaptation was released in 1974. Harbour Pictures has previously enjoyed huge hits with Calendar Girls, starring Helen Mirren, and Kinky Boots.

Producer Nick Barton told The Gazette: “We are not remaking the film from the 1970s — we have gone right back to the original books and want to be true to them. The reason I wanted to do this film was that I read all of the books when I was a child and loved them.”

Mr Barton also revealed that the key role of James Turner, who the children nickname Captain Flint, has gone to Dan Stevens, who starred in Downton Abbey.

Ransome himself said that every place in the book could be found in the Lakes – he used existing locations and mixed them up. The lake in the book is a version of Windermere but the surrounding country resembles Coniston.

Wild Cat Island, which plays a pivotal role in the story, is inspired by Peel Island in Coniston and Blake Holme in Windermere.

“We have done reccies of the lakes,” said Mr Barton. “I have been on Peel Island twice and we have spoken to the National Trust about using it. Just like in the books, we will be using different locations.”

Filming is expected to run from early July until September. Young people who are interested in applying for casting can email a picture with details including age to swallowsand amazons2013 @gmail.com