COWBOYS rode into the quaint streets of a traditional Suffolk village as the Wild West met the east coast.

COWBOYS rode into the quaint streets of a traditional Suffolk village as the Wild West met the east coast.

Orford residents leapt at the opportunity of taking a starring role in the film Gestures produced in the style of famous Italian director Sergio Leone.

The production was a family affair for producer Mike Hodge, who runs Orford Supply Stores, and his wife Natasha.

She had a film role and her father Michael Woollard, of Sudbourne, was the producer while his wife Valerie created some of the scenery.

Eight-year-old twins Jacob and Jocelyn Hodge were not in the film - but they did not miss out on the action as they held the cutting board when required.

Mr Hodge, 42, is hoping the ten-minute film could receive worldwide acclaim if it is shown at an international film festival in Edinburgh or America.

But closer to home there is a private screening at Aldeburgh Cinema for those involved in the making of Gestures.

Mr Hodge is sharing the £10,000 cost of the film with his co producer Michael Mooney.

Mrs Hodge said: “The shop is at the centre of the village, we pretty much know everybody and it was great to have the support of the village for the film.

“It was a major project for us to do but we have some great characters in Orford and they lent themselves brilliantly to the film. It was a dream come true for the two Mikes.”

The shopkeepers have a background in the film industry. They met while working at Angels, a costume company in London, and Mr Hodge also knew Mr Mooney through the company.

Mr Hodge said: “It was great fun and we had people walking up and down Orford dressed up as cowboys and girls but they have had to wait two years to see the results.”