FANTASY KINGS and queens could be set to deliver a potential £20 million boost for the Northern Ireland economy following confirmation from American cable group HBO that it intends to return to film in Belfast.

The US cable network giant says it will film a second series of its hit medieval fantasy series Game of Thronesin the North, with production due to begin next month.

The first series delivered an estimated direct spend of £17 million locally and created about 800 jobs.

The finale of the current television series, which is based on the best-selling fantasy books by George RR Martin, will air tomorrow and on Monday in Britain and Ireland on Sky Atlantic.

The North’s First Minister and Deputy First Minister have welcomed HBO’s much-rumoured return to the North.

Peter Robinson said the group’s decision to commission a second series was a “huge endorsement” of Northern Ireland’s creative industries.

“HBO’s first visit to Belfast in 2009 was a tremendous boost for the city and for Northern Ireland’s economy as a whole.

“I have no doubt that their return will have a similar effect, once again placing Belfast and Northern Ireland on the world stage.”

Martin McGuinness said he and Mr Robinson had “worked tirelessly to persuade HBO to return”.

He was confident the second series of Game of Throneswould "lead to the creation of more jobs and generate considerable income for our local economy".

The first series was shot on location in the North and in the Paint Hall in east Belfast – which was formerly used by Harland and Wolff to paint ships.

There are eight books in Martin’s fantasy series.

If all eight books go into production in Northern Ireland, it has been estimated that it could deliver a potential £140 million boost in the long term for the local economy.