AN IMPORTANT record of the life and works of one of the 20th century's greatest film makers has found a lasting home in Carnforth.

During her final engagement as High Sheriff of Lancashire, Amanda Parker donned her lace-cuffed velvet suit and plumed hat to officially open the permanent tribute to Sir David Lean CBE at Carnforth Station Heritage Centre.

Although just eight minutes of Lean's classic Brief Encounter was filmed at Carnforth railway station during wartime 1945, the much-loved film has left an enduring legacy to the town, said the High Sheriff. She described it as 'a coup' for 'a little place like Carnforth' to secure such a prestigious exhibition.

Oscar winner David Lean, who died in 1991, is best known for big-screen epics such as Doctor Zhivago and Lawrence of Arabia, as well as black-and-white movies like Great Expectations and Brief Encounter.

When the David Lean exhibition first opened in Carnforth last year, it became a major tourist attraction with up to 20,000 film and railway buffs flocking to see it. The success has led to it being made permanent, with the support of the British Film Institute, BAFTA, the David Lean Foundation and the director's family.

As John Adams, heritage centre manager, told the Gazette, the tribute to David Lean is the only one of its kind in the country, and treasured pieces of memorabilia are to be added over time from the private collections of Peter and Nick Lean, the director's son and grandson.

"It's taken us up a notch," said Mr Adams. "We now have the likes of a national exhibition in a small town where only eight minutes of the film Brief Encounter were made. All those years later, it still continues to draw thousands and thousands of people."

Mr Adams paid warm tribute to the volunteers who help keep the heritage centre open 360 days a year. Station trust manager Pat Wooff's father was the station master in days gone by, and she told the Gazette she knows the Brief Encounter screenplay "off by heart". Meanwhile, retired probation officer Alec Crouch spoke of the enduring link between David Lean, Carnforth, the railways and Brief Encounter.

Carnforth's mayor also paid tribute to Brief Encounter's legacy and romance. "It's good for the town," said Cllr Major Malcolm Watkins. "We wanted to try to attract people to Carnforth and this is a very good way of doing it."

Vic Brown, acting chairman of the Bay Tourism Association, added: "This is a hugely important day for Morecambe Bay as a tourist destination in its own right, which will encourage significant numbers of visitors to enjoy not only the outstanding David Lean exhibition but also the other attractions of Morecambe Bay."