HORROR films and the lasting legacy of an iconic star will be at the heart of an event presided over by Vincent Price’s daughter this week.

Victoria Price will be the special guest at a screening of the classic 1961 film The Pit and the Pendulum, being shown in Darlington on Wednesday.

The inspirational speaker, author and artist is expected to share colourful anecdotes of her childhood with the legendary actor when she speaks at the Darlington Film Club event.

American Ms Price will be in the North-East as part of a short visit to the country that comes 25 years on from the death of her Anglophile father.

In a career that spanned more than 50 years and more than a hundred films, Vincent Price starred on stage and screen, attracting a huge and devoted fan base as he gained fame for notable performances.

His name became synonymous with horror in the 1960s and the actor is perhaps best remembered for terrifying generations of film fans through roles in a string of frightening features, from House on Haunted Hill and The Abominable Dr Phibes to The Masque of the Red Death and The Last Man on Earth.

Vincent Price starred in Witchfinder General alongside actor Ian Oglivy, who will also be the focus of a Darlington Film Club event when he visits the town on Monday, November 19 for a screening of the 1968 classic.

The event’s organiser, James Watson, said excited film fans had flocked to book tickets for the showing and Victoria Price’s appearance, which is almost sold out.

The upcoming guests are the latest in a line of high profile visitors to Darlington Film Club, which has hosted the likes of Ken Loach, George Galloway, Robin Askwith and Dudley Sutton in recent years.

Mr Watson said: “We are really looking forward to these events – I’ve been watching horror and Vincent Price for donkey’s years and was so chuffed when we were able to arrange Victoria’s visit.

“It will be interesting to find out what Vincent Price instilled into his daughter and what his influence was on her.

“He seems to have been an open person who was accepting of everyone, regardless of sexuality or creed and she has grown up with that, I’m looking forward to hearing about how she lives with his legacy.

“It’s great that we can attract such high calibre guests to Darlington – we’re not a big city but we’re proud and I want as many people as possible to come along and find out what’s going on here.”

The Victoria Price event will take place at The Forum from 7pm on Wednesday while An Evening with Ian Ogilvy and the screening of Witchfinder General will be on Monday, November 19 from 7pm.

Tickets are £10 and available from the venue or by calling 01325 363135.