KESWICK rolled out the red carpet as the makers of Swallows and Amazons staged its world premiere in the Lake District, the movie's 'spiritual home'.

Local girl Hannah Jayne Thorp was among the cast and crew - including award-winning actresses Kelly Macdonald and Jessica Hynes - at the glamorous event at the Theatre by the Lake. The venue is just a stone's throw from Derwentwater where key scenes were filmed last summer.

Cinema goers will have to wait until Friday, August 19 to see this exciting new take on Arthur Ransome's children's classic by Harbour Pictures Productions and BBC Films. Locations such as Derwentwater and Coniston Water were described by actor Rafe Spall, who plays Uncle Jim/Captain Flint, as "some of the most beautiful" he has ever filmed in, and Cumbria Tourism is excited by the prospect of fans coming to visit the Lakes.

"We look forward to the positive impact the film will have on the local economy," said Rachel Tyson, head of marketing and sales, "and we hope to see an increase in bookings and trade across the county."

Meanwhile, Dorothy Smith, managing director of Ambleside cinema Zeffirellis, told the Gazette: "Anybody who sees the film will really and truly want to come up to the Lake District because it looks absolutely stunning."

And director Philippa Lowthorpe said: "It was only right that we brought Swallows and Amazons home to the Lake District for our world premiere. The Theatre by the Lake is a truly fitting venue, situated on the shores of Derwentwater where we shot a number of key scenes from the film.

"We had a wonderful time filming in Coniston and Derwentwater and were delighted that local cast and crew, who helped make this film a reality, had the chance to see the big screen adaptation of Arthur Ransome's literary classic before it is released in cinemas this August."