YOUNGSTERS from a Hampshire school became movie stars for a day when they attended a spectacular red carpet premier of a film they had made themselves.

Year 5 pupils from Beechwood Junior School in Bitterne as well as staff and parents attended the Harbour Lights Picturehouse to see a gala screening of Glorious Greeks, an adaptation of the popular BBC children’s series Horrible Histories.

Two screens were needed to accommodate the 300-strong school party eager to see the film.

The guests, who arrived by coach from the school, were greeted with popcorn and juices.

All 87 of the year group took some part in the making of the one-hour long film which featured more than a dozen different sketches including The Greek Factor, Emperordale and Are You Smarter Than A Greek 10 year old?

The project came about thanks to a partnership with Southampton Solent University’s creative filming team.

The university originally sent their students to the school to do an acting workshop for the children which inspired the youngsters to make their own film.

Year 5 teacher Lucy Baker said: “The children came up with 18 different themes that are renowned from the Greeks.

“It’s been a long process, we’ve been writing scripts, we’ve also been rehearsing with the children. The pupils then had filming weeks with the Solent students.

“It’s been absolutely incredible and totally directed by the children. Their enthusiasm has just grown, they’ve absolutely loved it.’’

The school incorporated the filming with the pupils’ studies and after much positive feedback from supportive parents, they may do another film next year.