Making movies in Bexhill

And according to local resident, Dee Flower, choosing the Bexhill seafront location, which included the exterior of her own property at Knole Mansions, came about after the film company searched the length and breadth of the South East of England in order to find the perfect Victorian building for some of the exterior shots.

Dee said: "Apparently they drove from Norfolk to Hampshire to look for a beautiful Victorian building and the director just fell in love with this building."

However, Dee said the film did require the building and De La Warr Parade to have a few minor changes.

"They changed the doors and the numbers of some of the properties, they re-planted next doors garden and changed the name of the street."

Producer, Allon Reich spoke highly of the location and the properties in the area.

He said: "De La Warr Parade in Bexhill was an ideal location for us to film due to the close proximity of the houses to the sea. The style of the houses on the Parade were a rare example of a beautiful Victorian Seaside Terrace, which will look perfect for the film."

Produced by DNA Films, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Film-4, the movie is a love story, adapted by Alex Garland from Kazuo Ishiguro's critically acclaimed best-selling Booker Prize short-listed novel of the same name.

Kiera unfortunately wasn't in Bexhill for the filming and surprisingly doesn't take the lead in this film as Carey Mulligan has that role.

Charlotte Rampling, Andrew Garfield, Sally Hawkins, Nathalie Richard and Andrea Riseborough also star.

Carey Mulligan had her first major big screen role appearing opposite Kiera Knightly in Pride & Prejudice, playing Kitty Bennet.

Dee, who is the chairman of local resident committee Knole Road Owners Limited, helped the production crew arrange background 'extras' for the scenes they filmed locally and suggested they use The Mermaid restaurant and bar, which was recently taken over by Lesley and James Kimber of the Cooden Beach Hotel.

Dee said: "The criteria to be an extra was that the people had to preferably be in their eighties, have white hair and be fit '“ no zimmers allowed! The Mermaid proved to be the perfect venue for the film's 'green room' during takes. We're all really excited as it's our local."

One 'extra', Bruce Little had travelled from his home in Polegate to be in the film and found the experience enjoyable.

Bruce said: "It was nice to be asked to be in the film and I'm enjoying doing it."

Whereas local 'extra' Reg Woodard of Bexhill decided making movies wasn't really for him.

He said: "I was thinking of starting a film career but there's lots of sitting around."

It was decidedly chilly weather conditions duringfilming on the seafront but Allon Reich praised the extras for their tenacity.

He said: "The background cast were all recruited locally and they were marvelous on the day, working in the cold wind but never complaining, they were a delight to have on set."

And, despite all the upheaval a big film crew entails, Lesley Kimber was delighted that they had chosen her venue.

Lesley said: "It's fantastic for the staff and it's exciting that this is happening in Bexhill."

'Never Let Me Go' is directed by Mark Romanek and Alex Garland; both are also executive producers. Mark Romanek said he is "deeply grateful" to be working on "such an exceptional project" adding:

" Ishiguro's concept is so daring '“ so eerie and beautiful. Alex Garland's adaptation is sensitive and precise. The cast is perfect. The crew superb."

Developed by DNA Films the project's producers, Andrew MacDonald and Allon Reich believe the film will be something special:

"We are delighted to be shooting this special project. We could not be happier to have assembled such a remarkable cast and crew for this extraordinary story.

'Never Let Me Go' continues to shoot in various locations throughout the UK over the next few weeks and is due to be released in 2010.