Business is booming at Elstree Film Studios, home to the likes of Big Brother, but managers say its future is uncertain.

Next month will herald the tenth anniversary of the purchase of the studio by Borehamwood council - a move which saved the historic premises from closure.

A decade on, the studio, in Shenley Road, Borehamwood, is riding on the crest of a wave, providing a home for many big-budget productions.

The site currently plays host to three of the biggest shows on television Celebrity Big Brother, Who Wants to be a Millionaire? and Dancing on Ice.

The latter pulled in 11.2 million viewers during its first live show on Saturday, and is booked for another seven shows, using a custom-built ice rink.

And it is not just TV, a number of high-profile feature films have been based at the famous studios over the last year, including the last episode of the Star Wars saga, Revenge of the Sith, which finished the series where it began in 1977.

Still, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the studio's future, according to director of the studios Neville Reid.

The lease held by the private management company is due to expire in April next year and no firm decision has yet been made on who will run the council-owned site after that.

Elstree Film & Television Studios Ltd was appointed by the council to manage the premises in in 2000.

The timetable for a decision has been progressively pushed back until January 2007, to the frustration of studio bosses.

Mr Reid said: "Our real concern is the time this is taking it was announced in April 2004 and it still hasn't been resolved. The uncertainty is really affecting our business. We want to keep it going and we want it to continue as a studios."

A major concern is that the company is not able to take on contracts with production companies which run beyond the expiry of its lease. Any such negotiations have to be handled by the council itself.

Director of production Julie Wicks recalled just how far the studios have come in a relatively short space of time.

She said: "The success has been phenomenal - since Hertsmere Borough Council bought the site, Elstree has become a major player in the world film market. It was in a terrible state and had been written off by the industry. We have done everything we can."

The studio announced real term profits for the first half of last year, which compares to a significant loss made by one rival studio. This is, in no small part, due to the attraction of major films to the site, such as Derailed, starring Clive Owen, who won the studio's first BAFTA in 30 years for Closer. Other new movies based at Elstree include the slavery epic Amazing Grace and World Cup film 66.

Ms Wicks said: "We bring in about £16m of inward investment to the town and create around 600 jobs a year. We have to keep the business going."