As stars gathered for the premiere, Northern Echo reporter Mr David Roberts, who was an extra in the film, tells of his night as a film star.

IT'S not often the boss agrees to let you take a limousine to a job.

On a Northern Echo expense account, you are lucky to get a pushbike. But having convinced the editor I was about to become a star once Atonement was released, he relented.

The paparazzi swarmed outside the limo as I stepped out into the blinding glare of what seemed like a thousand flashbulbs. In truth, it was one Northern Echo photographer - who was having to work late.

But then it's not every day one of your colleagues is playing a major role in a blockbuster movie.

When I say major, the 1,000 extras, of which I was one, were definitely a major part in the film's success - the critics have not stopped raving about the Dunkirk evacuation scenes.

As Nicole Kidman was busy, my next choice of escort to accompany me down the red carpet was The Northern Echo's very own Redcar reporter, Claire Burbage.

Walking down towards the cinema, decked out for the occasion, it is hard to imagine the area as it was a year ago.

Then, there were sandbags piled up outside and we lounged around in our incredibly itchy Second World War uniforms in the interminably long breaks between shots.

As I walked down the red carpet, I found it hard not to adopt the swagger of a Hollywood star. I mean the carpet's red for heaven's sake, and I've got a tuxedo on and have had a new haircut.

Alright, it might not have cost the earth, but I had to get a trim, otherwise my mother would never have spoken to me again. And at £5, it seemed very reasonable, and the girl who did it seemed very impressed when I said I was going to a premiere.

As the Dunkirk evacuation scenes started, I kept nudging Claire to point out where I am.

"There, I am, there, right in among those soldiers."

(Admittedly there was about 400 of them). Then during one scene shot in the cinema, the camera passed over me as I was cheering on a fight which star James McAvoy tries to break up. It could only have been a couple of seconds, but it seemed like a lifetime.

"Did you see me? Did you see me?" I asked. "Yes," she replied. "Very good."

I suspect, however, she may have just been trying to be polite. As we left the cinema, the limo was nowhere to be seen. I guess the expense account only stretches so far.

I bet with four seconds of screen time, I would have got a lift back. With a sigh, I headed for the bus stop. I bet Keira didn't have this problem.

* The Northern Echo's limousine was kindly provided by Millennium Limousines of Glebe Hall, Hall Close, Marske, Redcar.

Visit their website at http:// www.millenniumlimos.co.uk, email info@millenniumlimos.

co.uk or call 01642-509286 or 07768-408451.