It's everybody's non-pollutionary, anti-institutionary, pro-confectionery factory of fun.

Not Willy Wonka's high-camp industrial unit somewhere on a trading estate in Middle America - but Brighton's very own Choccywoccydoodah.

Ever since Christine Taylor opened the sweet factory ten years ago, she has joked about having a band of real-life Oompa Loompas.

Now she will go one better when her products take centre stage in the event movie of the summer, the remake of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, starring Johnny Depp.

Director Tim Burton commissioned Christine to create confectionery sculptures and cakes for the film, released next week.

Christine, co-owner of Choccywoccydoodah in Duke Street, Brighton, said: "We always considered ourselves to be the proper Willy Wonka of the chocolate world and the employees were like the Oompa Loompas.

"Tim Burton is familiar with our work and he approached me through Warner Brothers to see what we could do for the film.

"We did get paid but I would have done it for nothing."

Weeks before filming was due to start she had an emergency telephone call while on holiday in France.

Christine said: "We had planned it so the conditions would be perfect but out of the blue I got a call saying everything would be needed in three days.

"We had one weekend to do a month's work so I came back and just emptied the shop. Everybody was working flat out."

Nestl owns the rights to the Wonka brand so Choccywoccydoodah is not credited in the film.

Christine said: "I am not angry we haven't been mentioned.

"People who know the shop will know it's our chocolate because it is very avant-garde and out of this world."

Towering chocolate cakes, giant lollies and other surreal creations are an integral part of the magical chocolate factory set.

After filming had finished, Johnny Depp, who plays Wonka, added his name to the list of Christine's celebrity clientele.

She and business partner, Christine Garratt, 42, have also satisfied singer Cher's sweet tooth, sent orders to TV hosts Richard and Judy and will be making Jordan's wedding cake when she marries Peter Andre later this year.

Wednesday, July 20 2005