A FILM starring Norman Wisdom and made in Darwen is set to be screened publicly for the first time in 30 years.

'There Was A Crooked Man' was filmed in early 1960 and featured many local residents as extras but is not available to buy and was shown on television only once.

Now Darwen Library Theatre Film Society plans to show it in September subject to getting a copy from the British Film Institute.

Theatre manager Steve Burch said September 16 to 21 was pencilled in to show the film several times, other classic films and an exhibition of old movie posters owned by film society treasurer Brian Dixon.

He said: "We have been trying to find a copy of There Was A Crooked Man' for three years. Brian got in touch with Norman Wisdom and he said he would be thrilled if we could get a copy of the film for him as well. He has all his films except this."

The film, made for television, stars Wisdom as an explosives expert and co-stars Susannah York and Andrew Cruickshank.

Meanwhile, Carol Gaul, 33, of Snape Street in Darwen, also wants a copy for her mum Jean Davenport's 60th birthday. Jean, from Hoddlesden, was one of the extras and appeared skipping alongside her younger sister Mary. Carol said: "I've even been on Norman Wisdom websites leaving messages and no-one has had the film."