Villagers are gearing up for their big screen debut next week, as a Hollywood film shot in Biddestone is premiered in the UK.

Les Miserables star Samantha Banks, Four Weddings And A Funeral’s John Hannah and former Doctor Who Sylvester McCoy spent a week in the village filming The Christmas Candle, a big-budget adaptation of the novel by American pastor Max Lucardo.

The film also marks the acting debut of Susan Boyle, who shot scenes in the village in March.

Many of the locals appeared as extras in the film, which took over $1.6m (£988,000) in its first two weeks at the US box office.

Carolyn Madley’s home on The Green was used for filming and her daughter, Flora, appeared as an extra.

She said: “There is quite a lot of excitement in the village. I think we have all seen the trailer and stopped it at the appropriate moment when the village appears.

“I was talking to someone whose house is in the official trailer, and her little girl is in it putting the angel on the top of the tree in our house.

“There’s a preview showing in Bristol on December 8 which a lot of the villagers are going to, then I think it’s going to be in Bath.

“Flora’s now at university in Edinburgh so, sadly, she won’t be able to see it with us, but I know she’s quite excited. She told all her friends there she was in a film and no one believed her, so now they’ve all seen the trailer they’re really keen.

“The crew were here the best part of a week filming, and they were all really lovely, most people loved having them here.”

The film will be on general release from December 13.