TRIBUTES to celebrated Canterbury-born director Michael Powell were paid by Lord and Lady Attenborough at the start of the city's festival event at the weekend.

As a member of the original cast, Lady Attenborough, Sheila Sim, was invited to speak to assembled guests and film fans prior to the screening of the 1944 film A Canterbury Tale at the Gulbnekian Theatre.

The film follows three wartime pilgrims as they converge on Canterbury Cathedral, and is noted for his loving depiction of the Kent countryside and city landscape.

Saturday's screening came more than 50 years after the film's world premiere at The Friars Cinema, now home to the Marlowe Theatre, on May 11, 1944.

Lady Attenborough, who played a land girl Alison in the film said: "I am thrilled to be back in Canterbury. The last time I was here was four years ago when I met up with Sgt Bob Sweet, who played American soldier, Bob, in the film.

"I can recall different bits of the city from various trips here over the years.

"Michael really loved his native countryside. The film was made during war time when no one knew for sure if they'd see these things for much longer. "He wanted to make a film to celebrate the beauty of his homeland.

"I was a townie really, but I came to fall in love with the countryside here. remember we made the film at quite a leisurely pace compared to today's standards.

"I was in my early twenties and had not long left RADA. Working with Michael gave me many things to take with me in my career."

Lady Attenborough was accompanied by her 14-year-old granddaughter Lucy Holland, a pupil at Canterbury's King's School.

Lucy said: "I've never seen the film and I'm looking forward to seeing my grandmother on the screen."

Lord Attenborough's memories of the director are numerous. He said: "Michael made a pre-eminent contribution to British cinema, there is no question of that. It carries a banner for him today.

"The variety of his subjects and the originality of his work was special.

"A lot of what he did is now taken for granted but he paved the way for other film makers. I haven't seen Canterbury Tale for 40 years. Michael was very much in love with this area and the landscape and that is central in the film.

"I think he would have revelled in the technology available to directors today, such as blue screens and computer animation.

I remember being in the RAF in 1943, one year before he made Canterbury Tale.

"Later, on The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp he said to me, 'I'll pay you a tenner if you'll walk to the top of that escalator and say 'It's heaven!'

"That was an extraordinary film in my opinion. "I'm not here in any official capacity today, except to accompany my wife and granddaughter."

Film fans Bob and Liz Phillips from Whitstable were not aware of the evening's special guests. Mrs Phillips said: "I am a big fan of Powell and Pressburger's movies although I've never seen A Canterbury Tale.

"It's great to see Sheila Sim here, although we had no idea she was coming.

"My favourite Powell film is probably Peeping Tom, which he was criticised for. That movie was well ahead of its time.

"My first husband worked at the British Film Institute in London and so I try and see as many films as I can."

Mr Phillips said: "I'm interested to see Canterbury during war time. We're coming back to see Gone to Earth on Wednesday."

The Michael Powell tribute will run until Saturday (October 16), ending with the US version of A Canterbury Tale, featuring scenes not included in the UK film.

For full details of showings call the Gulbenkian Theatre box office on 01227 769075.