A FILM company based at Eastnor is holding the premiere of its first production at Ledbury's Market Theatre next week.

Short film Ben's Dare is a ghost story filmed locally and featuring amateur actors from Malvern, Ledbury and Ross.

It was made by Green Man Films, set up by by two men who work in the movie industry.

They are special-effects make-up artist Max Vandebanks of Bromesberrow and armourer Dave Cubbage, whose firm Norton Armories, also based in Eastnor, made armour for famous films like Gladiator, Alexander and Troy.

"I had an idea for a short ghost story and said to Dave it would be nice to see if it could be made into a short film, and that's how Green Man Films came into being," said Max.

"Dave had an interest in camera and editing and I with production, so with my contacts in the industry and with local people I went about starting to produce it."

Local drama groups provided the cast, which was led by Jack Lannie, of Upper Colwall, as Ben. Scenes were shot in and around Bromesberrow, Ryton and White Leaved Oak, among other locations.

"It was hard work and stressful at times but we hope that now we have completed it, everyone involved will be happy with the end result," said Max.

"A lot of local people were involved as cast and crew, and I want to thank all of them.

The premiere for cast, crew and invited guests will be held on Thursday (June 29). Ben's Dare has also been entered in the Cotswold International Film Festival.

Green Man is now in pre-production for its next film, based on an M R James short story.

Again, they hope to use local actors and locations, although professional actors will also be involved.