Hollywood filmmakers looked at using Sutton to shoot the latest X-Men and Pirates of the Caribbean blockbusters.

Location managers for Walt Disney and Twentieth Century Fox made enquiries to Sutton Council earlier this year about shooting scenes from the two films in the borough, it emerged this week.

X-Men: First Class looked at using the urban sprawl of the Durand Close Estate, and also wanted a large warehouse to build a super-villain's lair.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides expressed an interest in filming in the lavender fields of Carshalton, but the area missed out on the filming because the fields had just been harvested.

The interest in Sutton shown by two of the biggest filmakers on the planet continues to establish the borough as a premiere location for filming.

In the past six months Sutton has been used to film hit TV series The Apprentice, Peep Show, Law and Order UK, Psychoville and Misfits.

A second series of E4 comedy, Phoneshop, which was filmed entirely in Sutton, will also be shot in the borough next summer, it was confirmed this week.

Adrian Wootton, chief executive of Film London, said: "I am delighted film-makers and producers are discovering a somewhat untapped part of the city in south London...it can only add to the richness of what the capital has to offer and long may it continue."

Harriet Lawrence, location manager for Phoneshop, said: "I really would recommend filming in Sutton to anyone - it is so close to central London.

"There is huge array of different styles of housing from flats and council estates to large detached Victorian houses, a great High street and some fantastic parks, it really does seem to have a bit of everything."

Jayne McCoy, Sutton Council's spokesperson on economic development, said: "This is a very exciting time - bigger and bigger productions are coming to the area, boosting the local economy and showcasing what a diverse and beautiful area of London this is."