THREE of England's top 50 creative businesses are based in Bournemouth, according a new report.

One of the three – the Boscombe-based film company Treehouse Digital – also made the national top 10.

The others are Westbourne-based app developers 3 Sided Cube and Nourish.

Treehouse Digital, which was hailed as a ‘future leader’ at a Creative England event at Google’s London HQ, recently completed the short family film Litterbugs.

It also does commercial work and provides visual effects and production services for other film-makers.

Company director Paul Hamblin said: “It is well known in the industry that there is exceptional talent in Bournemouth, emanating from the universities and colleges. Our aim is to generate a hub that encourages the growth of this talent outside London.

“We believe the films, television shows and virtual reality projects we’re developing will be something the town can be proud of and our in-house studio and facilities can hopefully be an alternative for talented graduates who want the quality of life available on the coast as opposed to moving to London.”

Steve Hatch, regional director for Facebook, was among the judges. He said of Treehouse Digital: “Yes they understand the technology, yes they understand platforms but the root of everything they do is storytelling.”

3 Sided Cube won national exposure for an app helping people in disaster-hit areas. Founder Duncan Cook, said the award was "humbling", adding: “To have been named alongside two further Dorset companies is testament to the strength of the local creative and digital industries.”

Nourish's CEO, Nuno Almeida, said: “Our work is about bringing the latest in design and development of internet technologies to care, a sector that has been under-served in these areas. We are exceptionally proud to be in such a strong group from Bournemouth, and be able to show the strength of the creative and tech industries in this region.”

David Ford, chairman of Silicon South, which lobbied to have the companies included in the CE50, said: “To have three of the most highly recognised creative companies in the UK based in Dorset is brilliant. It really is another badge of merit as to how impactful the local cluster’s contribution is towards the creative powerhouse of the UK.”