THREE Kidderminster actors will be mixing with Hollywood stars including Keira Knightley when they play their part in a big-budget war movie.

Richard Bishop, Craig Leonard and Callum McArthur were due to arrive in Redcar, near Newcastle, on Monday where filming was underway for Atonement, which will also star James McAvoy of Shameless fame.

The three friends auditioned for the film two weeks ago and although they have already visited the set and had their costume fittings, they had not been told what roles they would eventually play.

Speaking before they left, Craig, 38, said: "We don't know what parts we are going to play until we get down there on the day.

"We may just be in the background or we may have a one-line part.

"Even then, it may just end up on the cutting room floor. It's just a case of waiting and seeing if we can see ourselves on the big screen when the film is released."

The film, which is based on the book of the same title by Booker Prize-winning author, Ian McEwan, follows the story of two lovers separated by the testimony of a 13-year-old boy who wrongly accuses McAvoy's character of murder and also covers the horrors of the Second World War during the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk.

Craig, who runs a business hiring out costumes to theatre and film companies, has done Second World War commentaries at events, including Severn Valley Railway 1940s weekends.

His previous film experience includes working with the costume department for Saving Private Ryan and he was also a background extra in Band of Brothers.

Callum, who has performed with Carpet Trades Operatic Society and Kidderminster Operatic and Dramatic Society, has appeared on BBC One drama, Spooks.

It will be the first time Richard, who is the company director of a welding equipment company, has done any television or film work.

Craig said: "It's great to be involved in a big budget film.

"We are looking forward to filming it but we know there are going to be a lot of long days and it's going to be hard work."

Filming has already taken place in Shropshire and London and more than 1,000 extras have been cast in the movie.