Les signs up to star in charity film

A film maker from the Black Country has signed up comic Les Dennis to star in his latest short film aimed at reeling in funds for a cancer charity.

Amateur director Kevin Powis, aged 48, is making a 15-minute film called Waiting in Rhyme. The clip tells the individual stories of people in a GP's waiting room. All lines are spoken in rhyme and will reflect the thoughts of the actors. Former Family Fortunes host Dennis, whose mother died of cancer, will play the part of a man waiting to find out if he has the disease.

Sally Lindsay, who played barmaid Shelly Unwin in Coronation Street, will play a comic role as the fed-up receptionist.

Mr Powis, a former computer programmer, said proceeds from the DVD will benefit Macmillan Cancer Support.

It is the second charitable venture for Mr Powis and Birmingham-based producer Martin Nigel Davey, the pair previously worked on a film called Expresso, starring Norman Wisdom.

"Martin and I worked together on Expresso which was released on DVD and sold across the UK for Macmillan Cancer Support," said Mr Powis, who set up Last Independents at his home in Cradley.

"We sold thousands of copies at £5 a time and raised thousands for Macmillan and hope to do the same again."

The latest film will feature other well know actors, including Dame Judi Dench's daughter Finty Williams. Filming will be done in Birmingham this week and copies will be available at the end of November from Macmillan Cancer Support at www.macmillan.org.uk

Further funding for the independently backed film is still required and sponsors should visit www.poetryfilm.com or call 0800 612 8996.