A TOWN’S historic seafront is set for nationwide publicity after being used as the backdrop to a Hollywood blockbuster film.

Worthing will be seen by millions over the coming weeks as locations across the town are shown in Stan and Ollie, the new Laurel and Hardy biopic.

The film, like the pair themselves, features one American and one British comedy star, in the form of John C Reilly and Steve Coogan respectively.

The Bafta-nominated film, which follows Laurel and Hardy as they embark on a 1953 tour in hope of reigniting their career, will use a familiar Worthing location in some shots.

The town’s Lido has been used for some key scenes in the movie.

The scene in Worthing comes at a crucial point of the movie and features Laurel and Hardy judging a beauty pageant when disaster strikes.

Worthing Borough Council, which owns the art deco attraction on the seafront, is hoping the motion picture acts as a catalyst to encourage more film and television crews to use the area as a location in the coming years.

Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s councillor responsible for regeneration, said: “Worthing has a fine heritage when it comes to film with some of the first moving images in the UK created on our very own pier.

“More than a century on I’m delighted to see that continuing with this high-profile feature-length production about the world’s favourite comic duo shot on our seafront.

“With the movie now released I know I am not the only one who is looking forward to seeing Worthing on the big screen.”

Filming took place in the town in May 2017 with crews adding a 1950s flavour to the Lido, complete with a bespoke mural which remains in place today.

Cllr Jenkins said: “The feedback we received from the production company was excellent and I know that word is getting round about the beautiful coastal, urban and country backdrops that our town has to offer.

“For those reasons I look forward to welcoming many more film crews down in the coming months.”

To tie in with the film’s release, The Argus has also uncovered an archive photo, inset, which shows the real life Laurel and Hardy on a visit to Brighton.

The photo was taken back in February 1954, just three years before the tragic death of Oliver Hardy.

The picture shows them at the Hippodrome with some delighted youngsters, who were being awarded prizes for winning a competition sponsored by the Hippodrome and the Argives Club.

Included in the picture are John Nye 7, from the Old Shoreham Road, Brighton, Fred Powell, 11, from West Dean Rise, Seaford, Robert Sampson, 11, from Preston Road, Brighton, William Stafford from Priory Road, West Hill, Hastings.

Also in the photograph is Miss Ann Redman of the Argives Club, who went on to run the Argus Appeal.

Stan and Ollie, which has proved to be a hit with critics and audiences, is in cinemas now.