An Inverness music production company has landed the commission from the BBC to write and produce the theme music for River City, BBC's new soap based in Glasgow which is due to begin screening later this month.

Metrophonics, which is based near Inverness, was set up by composer Lorne Balfe in July, with assistance from Inverness and Nairn Enterprise and the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust.

Before starting the company Lorne already had an impressive resume of projects including music for advertising and for television programmes including the Clive James Show, Dispatches, Casualty Revealed and Sport Scene as well as a number of commercials including Coca-Cola, Siemans and BMW.

The company has recently completed work on its first film for New York based film company Blackcloud Productions, Loved Alone, starring Beth Windslet. Metrophonics had also been working on Dreamworks latest feature film, Ring, and Spyglasses Recruit, starring Al Pacino.

Lorne Balfe of Metrophonics said he was delighted with both the recent commission and the support and encouragement his company had received.  He added:  "The soap, River City, is the most talked about project in the industry at the moment and I am delighted that we were successful pitching against the top music companies from all over Britain to get what is our first Scottish commission.

"Everyone at HIE and the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust has been hugely supportive.  This backing has given me the extra confidence and financial assistance required to help establish this new company."

Inverness and Nairn Enterprise chief executive, Bill Sylvester, is delighted with the company's continuing success.  He said:  "Metrophonics is a company of considerable talent and an example of the spirit of 21st century culture that is so much part of the Inverness Highlands' bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2008.  It operates in a very competitive and specialised field and this requires a creative and thorough approach to marketing. I am very pleased to hear of this recent contract, which adds to their very impressive and expanding client base."