The story of the Hardy firm, based in Alnwick (Northumberland), caught the attention of Andy Heathcote and his partner Heike Bachelier during a holiday.

The couple are film producers and wanted to explore the history of the 137-year-old fishing tackle company.

Mr Heathcote said: 'It was about 20 years since I'd swapped being a teenage fishing fanatic for punk rock.

'I suddenly realised how much I missed fishing and decided to get another rod.

'I remembered all those beautiful Hardy rods from the angling shops of my youth.

'Hardy made everything from intricate salmon flies to beautiful cane fishing rods and had royalty, maharajas and
film stars on their books.'

Mr Heathcote realised that Hardy's fishing tackle was still seen as the 'Rolls Royce' among fishermen.

He added: 'As a teenager, I'd always wondered how this legendary company from a tiny town on the Scottish borders had managed to conquer the world, even to dominate my local tackle shop.

'Some 23 years later, the question was even stronger. Finding the answer was the quest behind the film.'

The couple's film production company, Trufflepig Films, spent two years making the 93-minute docu-feature.

Called 'The Lost World of Mr Hardy', the film charts the story of Jackie Hardy, aged 85.

He was Hardy company director from 1948 to 1992.

The movie focuses on his family's evolvement into modern times.

Mr Heathcote said: 'I think the film suggests that there are aspects of our life that we have always taken for granted but won't realise their value until they disappear.

'Once they have gone we will realise, but by then it's too late.'
The film screens at the Picture House Cinema in Uckfield at 6pm on Sunday, May 31.

It will then embark on a mini-tour around cinemas in Britain.
Trufflepig Films is making a second feature film about Hailsham raw milk farmer Steve Hook, called 'The Moo-Man'.

Mr Hook was awarded the title Sussex farmer of the year (2009). The film will finish later this year.