BRIGHTON is to be the star of a major new movie.

Screen heart-throb Ralph Fiennes and actress Julianne Moore arrived in the town yesterday to work on an adaptation of the Graham Greene novel The End of the Affair.

The stars play illicit lovers in the film, set during and shortly after the Second World War.

Written and directed by Neil Jordan, it sees the couple visiting Brighton for a secret tryst away from Moore's husband, played by Stephen Rea.

Parking was banned in surrounding roads to enable the film crew to convert Eastern Terrace, off Marine Parade, into a Forties street.

A derelict building was dressed as a bombed-out house and private flats had signs and a porch added to transform them into the Waverly Hotel.

Smoke

Seafront traffic was stopped to allow vintage cars, buses and motorcycles to pass in the background.

The ten-day Brighton shoot follows night-time scenes filmed in London's Battersea Park and interior shots at Shepperton Studios.

Yesterday's sunny weather meant that technicians had to use smoke machines to give shots an overcast look.

Film publicist Susan d'Arcy said: "It is fabulous to be in Brighton. A lot of the film is set in rainy London and these scenes will bring a bit of contrast."

The 120-strong cast and crew are staying at hotels and bed and breakfasts in the Brighton area throughout the shoot.

Later scenes will be filmed at the Palace Pier and Royal Pavilion.

Local people were recruited as background extras at auditions in Brighton earlier this month.

David Kaye, 26, of Wilbury Gardens, Hove, was given a Forties-style haircut for his scenes as a hotel guest.

David, a part-time student at Northbrook College, Worthing, said: "I saw an advert and went along dressed up. I think I will be working for three days.

"I haven't done anything like this before and don't know what I will be paid, but it is worth it."

The film is due for release at the end of this year.

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