A FORTHCOMING Hollywood blockbuster, parts of which were filmed in a North-East coastal town and includes about 1,000 Teesside extras, will be premiered in the region.

Atonement, starring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, will receive its regional premiere at the Regent Cinema, in The Esplanade, Redcar, on September 5 at 7pm.

Film director Joe Wright, who will be present at the screening, used Redcar's beach for scenes depicting the evacuation of Dunkirk.

The Regent Cinema, surrounding nature reserve and Corus steelworks also featured in the movie. Atonement is on general release from September 14.

The film is the latest boost for the town. Earlier this month Lewis Robinson was commissioned by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, in association with the film-makers, to record how a stretch of Redcar beach was transformed into wartime Dunkirk last summer.

The steel artwork will incorporate film director Joe Wright's chair - which is available for the public to sit in - suitcases, crates of ammunition and shell boxes.

The Robinson's work will also include a soldier's helmet, rifle, books - reflecting the adaptation of Ian McEwan's Atonement novel - and resting seagull looking out to sea.

Councillor George Dunning, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: "The arrival of Joe Wright and the Atonement film crew last summer was tremendous.

"I wouldn't have believed what they managed to achieve in turning Redcar beach into such a spectacular film set if I hadn't seen it myself."

Councillor Sheelagh Clarke, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: "The filming of Atonement created a great deal of excitement throughout Redcar and the region, attracting over 70,000 visitors to the town in just over a week.

"We're honoured that Redcar will now be part of the excitement surrounding the film's release."

Northern Film and Media, the regional screen agency for the North-East, worked with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Working Title to arrange the use of Redcar as the location.

Tom Harvey, chief executive of Northern Film and Media, said: "The entire experience of Atonement has been fantastic for Redcar and Cleveland.

"Securing the regional premiere is a great way to celebrate the release of the film, but the event is also a celebration of the hard work and commitment of the local authority and community who pulled out all of the stops to make this happen in this region."

The red carpet premiere will form the climax of a nostalgic public street celebration to be held during the day on The Esplanade, Redcar.