CHRIS Whitwell likes nothing better than blowing his own trumpet.

But now the part-time big band player is getting the chance to show off his skills on the big screen.

Chris, assistant director of environmental services for Brighton and Hove Council, has landed a role in new film The End of the Affair.

The movie, currently shooting in Brighton, stars Ralph Fiennes and Julianne Moore as illicit lovers who have a fling in the town shortly after the Second World War.

Chris, of Upper Shoreham Road, Shoreham, will play a military band trumpeter in scenes due to be shot on Tuesday.

He said: "I don't know where we will be yet but I think the scene is set outside. I have had a wardrobe fitting for the uniform.

"I think my name was passed on to the producers by one of the other musicians. These days there isn't an enormous supply of brass players."

Chris took up the trumpet aged 14 and has now been playing for more than 30 years.

He freelances for seveal Sussex acts, including the Dave Masters Big Band, Horsham-based Swing Fever and Worthing's Ronnie Smith Big Band.

He will have his long hair trimmed to a Forties-style short back and sides for the role.

Chris said: "I do have reservations about having the chop but you have to make sacrifices for your art. It will certainly make a change from what I normally do."

Council chiefs have welcomed the filming, which began at Eastern Terrace, off Marine Parade, on Monday.

Leader Lord Bassam said the authority had been working closely with police and the producers to minimise disruption to residents.

He said: "As an international tourism and conference destination we have to accept that such things are part of our job.

"The value of the worldwide publicity alone is priceless. You couldn't buy it on the open market. We all benefit from that in the long run."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.