A FAMILIAR pantomime figure on the Malton stage for many years is set to grace the silver screen in the film version of Dad's Army.

David Hinde, a former member of Malton and Norton Musical Theatre and The Starlight Singers, has been chosen to appear in the re-make of the BBC sitcom with filming taking place in Bridlington this Saturday.

His role was confirmed after producers visited the seaside resort where David is the town crier.

"I played the 'baddie' for a number of years in the Malton panto and also performed throughout the area with The Starlight Singers for charity," David said.

"After moving to Bridlington I was chosen to be the town crier after the mayor decided to reintroduce the role and now hold the record for the loudest recorded town crier."

David, who live Bempton, will appear in a scene recreating a St George's Day parade for the fictional town of Walmington-On-Sea.

"Producers came to Bridlington while they were looking for locations in which to film and were inpressed by the uniqueness of Bridlington's Old Town and also the surrounding area including the cliffs at Flamborough which could easily pass for the cliffs of Dover," he added.

The cast for the remake of the 1970s sitcom includes Harry Potter stars Toby Jones and Michael Gambon as Captain Mainwaring and Private Godfrey, Love Actually and Shaun of the Dead star Bill Nighy as Wilson, and Catherine Zeta Jones in a new role as a writer named Rose Winters.

Joining them are Billy Liar star Tom Courtenay as Corporal Jones, Ashes To Ashes and Atonement star Danny Mays as spiv Private Walker, Bill Paterson as Private Fraser, and The Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison as Private Pike, while Sarah Lancashire, Alison Steadman, Mark Gatiss and Annette Crosbie also take on supporting roles.

Filming is also expected to take place around the North Yorkshire Moors Railway in Pickering.

David said he was really proud to be an extra in the production.

"Each year we hold a Dickensian festival and market which this year is the Saturday following the filming so we hope more people will come along to that as well," he added.

"This is big news for Bridlington and the area and I am thrilled to be part of this iconic film- I've already started saying 'don't tell him your name, Hinde'."

* Bridlington Old Town Association is holding its Dickensian Festival’ & Market on Sunday, November 23, from 10am, and will include a march by the Beverley & District Pipe Band with the civic party, choirs including Coastal Voices and The Chantons, a 30-piece brass band, and Bridlington Cadet Drummers.