Two fans of cult film Zulu travelled all the way to Sussex from Wales to meet the family of one of the movie's main stars.

Paul Winter and Ralph Dyer set up the Rorke's Drift Fan Club in honour of the classic 1964 film which starred Sir Stanley Baker, Sir Michael Caine, and Jack Hawkins.

Yesterday the two fans, who have seen the film more than 500 times, fulfilled a dream by travelling to Sussex to meet Sir Stanley's sister, Muriel Lewis, and his widow Ellen, Lady Baker.

The rendezvous took place at Mrs Lewis' home in Peacehaven where she and Lady Baker shared anecdotes with the two Welshmen and looked at memorabilia about the film.

Afterwards Paul said: "It was amazing. I cannot really put it into words. We have had a wonderful day. After watching the film so many times on video it was like bringing it into reality.

"It was a real honour to actually meet members of Sir Stanley's family."

Muriel, 72, added: "I am sure Stanley would have been very pleased to hear a fan club had been set up in honour of the film. He worked very, very hard to make it."

Zulu immortalises a famous battle, fought during the Zulu Wars in 1879, in which just over 130 British soldiers, mainly from the South Wales Borderers, held off 4,000 Zulu warriors.

The skirmish at Rorke's Drift, South Africa, led to nine soldiers being awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest number awarded on a single day.

Paul, 42, and Ralph, 48, set up the fan club in May in order to meet up with people who shared their interest and to clear up some misconceptions the film presented as fact.

In less than two months the fledgling club has already attracted more than 120 members from all over Britain and as far afield as South Africa.

It even attracted the attention of Sir Stanley's family who insisted on becoming honorary members. They also invited Paul and Ralph to visit them.

Muriel said: "I still think Zulu is a wonderful film. I could keep watching it many, many times. I may be biased, but Stanley was a marvellous actor. He never wanted to be anything else."

For more information about the Rorke's Drift Club contact Paul Winter on 029 2083 2580.