RESIDENTS in the North Yorkshire village of Helperby are preparing for their very own film world premiere.

Two hundred inhabitants of the picturesque community feature as extras in Yorkshire Television's The Life and Crimes of William Palmer, to be shown in the village hall on February 18 and 19.

Royal guests, stretch limousines and press photographers are not anticipated, however, with tickets selling for a modest £3.50 including pie and peas.

Village hall treasurer Sally Johnson said YTV arranged the premiere as a thank you after transforming Helperby into 1850s Staffordshire over 10 days last October.

"The village is a conservation area and most of the houses are of the right period," she said.

"They dulled down buildings by painting over white walls to give lovely sepia tones and covered over white lines on the roads."

Starring Keith Allen and Jayne Ashbourne, The Life and Crimes of William Palmer tells the true story of a notorious 19th century doctor hanged for poisoning 14 people.

Mrs Johnson, of Main Street, was among the crowd for the filming of the hanging scene and a graveyard exhumation.

YTV has hired a large screen and stereo sound system for the screenings in the 90-seat hall, she said.

"Everyone is looking forward very much to seeing it on the big screen and they will be taping it later on television so they can say spot where they were in it."

YTV bosses also donated £5,000 towards the £375,000 needed to build a new village hall. Fundraisers need only another £13,000 and work on the millennium project is due to begin in May.

The Life and Crimes of William Palmer will be screened on ITV in two episodes on Tuesday, March 3 and 10.

Tickets for the Helperby screenings, price £3.50 (adults) and £2.50 (children), are available at the village post office.

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