A POPULAR independent cinema is hosting an early screening of a new British comedy featuring the remarkable story of a Barrow shipyward worker.

Ulverston’s Roxy cinema is to host a special advance screening of Phantom of the Open.

The inspiring true story of Maurice Flitcroft, who was a crane driver at the Barrow shipyard, managed to gain entry to the British Open Golf Championship in 1976 and subsequently shot the worst round in Open history - becoming a folk hero in the process.

The film, starring Mark Rylance as Maurice, Sally Hawkins as his wife and Jonah Lees as his son James, will be shown at the Roxy on Wednesday, March 9 at 7.30pm in advance of its national release on March, 18. 

James Flitcroft and other guests will be attending the show whose profits are being donated to St. Mary’s hospice.

Roxy’s proprietor Charles Morris said: "It’s always special to do an event like this, the tickets are selling very well, they haven’t been on sale very long but they are going pretty quick and I’m hoping we will have a full house and an enjoyable evening.

"It’s an excellent comedy with an appealing local connection. We need a bit of laughter to help us out of the winter and covid.

Charles decided to donate all profits from the screening to St Mary's Hospice as it is a charity he holds close to his heart.

He said: “There was cancer in my family from further afield in the Wirral but the hospice has appealed to us once or twice before and this will be the first thing we’ve done for them in a while and it’s a great opportunity to do that.

“We might all need to use their services one day.

Helen Carlson, St Mary’s Hospice Head of Fundraising: “We are tee-lighted that the Ulverston Roxy cinema is donating its profits from the special screening of Phantom Of The Open. It is made extra special with the local link of being inspired by the story of Barrow golfing legend Maurice Flitcroft.

“Without the support of our amazing community of fundraisers we simply couldn’t provide our hospice care for patients and their loved ones across our community – so thank you to the Roxy supporting St Mary’s and giving back to our local community.”

Tickets are on sale via the cinema’s website www.nm-cinemas.co.uk