Salford's docks are being transformed into one of Europe's biggest media production centres in a striking symbol of the city's renaissance. The docks were a surprise choice by private property developer Peel Holdings for its vast 200-acre Media:City project, scheduled to open in 2011.

The BBC is taking a quarter of the site, moving five departments there in a £450m investment. Other companies looking to do business with the BBC are likely to follow.