Sheriff has Robin Hood in his sights

IT'S a battle that's been raging for centuries, but this time the Sheriff of Nottingham means business.

Having heard that Robin Hood has been spotted hiding out on a film set in the forests of darkest Wales, the Sheriff has decided to track him down.

Coun Leon Unczur is hoping to visit the filming of the latest Robin Hood film - and has star Russell Crowe in his sights.

Mr Unczur said he was determined to get his hands on Notts' most famous son.

He said: "The Sheriff has been hunting Robin for a long time. We are old enemies and I want to track him down."

The Sheriff has even resorted to modern technology to find the outlaw, by following actor Crowe on micro-blogging website Twitter.

But he slipped his grasp once again.

Mr Unczur said: "I starting following him on Twitter, but he stopped me. I was trying to use modern methods to find him."

The city council has been making approaches to film makers Universal and others in order to secure a visit to the set for the Sheriff.

Scenes are currently being shot in Wales for the film, titled Nottingham.

Mr Unczur said: "The film will be great for tourism if we get it right this time.

"We did a reasonable job with Robin Hood Prince of Thieves - we need to do an even better job now.

"I think it would be really good for the city if we met up with Robin Hood."

The Sheriff even hopes he might be able to bring Robin back to Nottingham.

But despite his tough talk, the Sheriff concedes he might have to tread softly in order to secure the outlaw's co-operation.

He said: "We don't want to upset the filming time table - we do respect that - but if there is an opportunity we will be there at the drop of a hat."

A Nottingham City Council spokesman said it was important to maximise the potential of the film's links with the city.

He said: "The two are old enemies. The Sheriff is willing to do whatever it takes."

sarah.firth@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk