RESIDENTS in a seaside town will take a step back in time next week to celebrate the regional premiere of the Hollywood Blockbuster Atonement.

A special street event will be held along The Esplanade, in Redcar, east Cleveland, hours before the VIP screening of Joe Wright's adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel - parts of which were filmed in the town.

A living history camp will launch the event on Wednesday, at 11am, with live music whisking visitors back to the 1940s.

Hartlepool Military Heritage Memorial Society will set up a replica of an encampment, complete with field kitchen, mortars, sandbanks and ammunition.

Live music will be provided by Musician Unlimited - a 12 piece ensemble and vocalist who will be creating the sound of the Big Band.

Tea dancers from clubs across the borough will be showing off their fancy footwork and inviting people to join them on the dancefloor to foxtrot, Lindy Hop, swing and waltz the afternoon away.

And for those who just want to sit back and relax in the nostalgic atmosphere, there will be a 1940s tea party with bunting and trestle tables.

Director Joe Wright will unveil Lewis Robinson's sculpture at 12.30pm on The Esplanade, before introducing the afternoon screening which is taking place at The Regent Cinema at 3pm.

Tickets are being made available through competitions in libraries, tourist information centres and Kirkleatham Museum.

The leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, Councillor George Dunning, said: "It's only right that people from across the borough should be invited to take part in this free event to celebrate the fantastic effort that everyone put into the production and to reap some of the rewards of its release."

Cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, Councillor Sheelagh Clarke, said: "This is going to be a truly memorable day for what was a truly memorable time while the film was made here."