CINEMA lovers in a North Yorkshire town have a remarkable chance to "meet the director", as the latest Brit flick hits the big screen.

The acclaimed new movie, I Capture The Castle, will be heading to Ryedale Palace Cinema in Malton late this month - accompanied by director Tim Fywell, who will be talking about the film.

Appleton-le-Street resident Lucy Legard helped secure the film, which will raise funds for the League of Friends for Malton Hospital.

"When I was having my third baby in Malton Hospital a friend gave me a copy of the book," said Lucy.

"I loved it and decided I would try to buy the film rights, but when I rang the literary agent he told me they had just been sold for six figures."

Fate stepped in when Lucy's sister, a casting director, announced her latest project was director Tim Fywell's adaptation of Dodie Smith's book. Lucy said: "I met Tim at my sister's wedding and we got chatting about our fantastic independent cinema here in Malton - so I asked him to come along and he agreed.

"We thought we might as well raise money for charity, it's all about appreciating local services so we hope we are going to get a good turn out."

Gareth Driver, assistant manager at the palace, said: "This is something we are really looking forward to, and a bit of a coup for Malton.

"It's going to be a great night."

Tickets for the charity evening cost £10, including a glass of wine, and must be bought before the event.

All proceeds and donations from the screening, at 8.15pm on Friday May 30, will go towards the League of Friends.

Updated: 10:48 Wednesday, May 14, 2003