A MASTER thatcher from West Dorset has spoken of his excitement ahead of the release of the eagerly anticipated Far From the Madding Crowd movie.

Dave Symonds, 64, from Chideock, played a farmer in the film, the latest adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s classic love story.

The film, which stars well known British movie-stars Carey Mulligan and Michael Sheen, was mainly shot in West Dorset and anticipation is building ahead of the release date with the trailer now being shown on television and online.

Mr Symonds played the role of a farmer in the film after originally helping out producers with the thatching for the roofs of buildings.

After helping out the producers and providing an accurate vintage look to the film, they asked him to play a farmer.

Mr Symonds said: “It all stemmed from the fact that they needed materials for the thatching in the roofs and then they needed somebody with the skills to dig and then thatch.

“Once they got the materials and once they got going, they didn’t realise they didn’t have clue what they were doing and then they got me in to do it. I spent a couple of days with the rehearsal team and some of the actors, and then I was asked to be a farmer.”

He added: “Because I had spent a bit of time with them before the filming, I was just myself around them during the filming. I wasn’t worried by the cameras, I’m used to being photographed in my job and because I’ve got quite a rustic-looking face.

“I had to wear three different costumes, but it was really fun. I got on really well with everyone, especially Carey.

“She used to ring me up when she was practising her lines and ask how to pronounce certain words that are Dorset words and we got on very well together. There was one day when I was filming with her at the Corn Exchange, and it was just us two all day and we got on brilliantly.

The film is officially released on May 1 and there will also be a premiere of the film in Bridport. To see the trailer of the film, visit dorsetecho.co.uk