A FILM company still owes officials a fee for using council-owned land – even though most of the footage has already been shot.

The total amount due to be paid to Lyme Regis Town Council by Fossil Films Ltd has still not been decided. The film company is currently shooting scenes for Ammonite, which follows a relationship between Mary Anning, played by Kate Winslet, and Frances Bell, played by Saoirse Ronan.

This week councillors heard a figure for the use of Bell Cliff has not yet been confirmed, despite filming starting in early March.

Councillor Jeff Scowen said: "They are nearing completion, or are halfway through, and we have not yet got a figure.

"The example I give is selling a car to somebody. They give them the log book, they give them the keys and say 'Let's talk about a price in a couple of weeks'.

"That really isn't the way to do a negotiation.

"I am a little disappointed in the way this has been handled. As it stands now, we don't have a figure and the negotiations haven't been completed.

"Really, we have to take what we are given.

"Can we learn from this in the future and really do a more professional job at negotiating?"