Drinkers got a big screen surprise on Saturday when they discovered their local had been turned into a film set.

The Emma Hamilton, in Wimbledon Chase, enjoyed a touch of Hollywood glamour when a filmmaker brought about 100 actors, extras and crew to the pub.

They were filming Jeff’s Motto - a 10-minute comedy drama written, directed and produced by Mike Gould about two musicians desperate to get a gig.

The Wimbledon resident is on a similar quest to hit the big time, and hopes entering Jeff’s Motto into film festivals will be a step towards creating full-length features.

He was supported by film club Sutton Film Makers, which provided equipment and technical support.

The crew is a mix of amateurs and professionals - while Saturday’s army of 70 extras were recruited from a Mitcham casting agency.

The 49-year-old said once the production’s momentum started building, it became easy to recruit volunteers with the right skills.

He said: “It’s incredible what you can do if you just sit down and start phoning people. You get out what you put in - you start to get results.”

The crew has been shooting at weekends, and started work on Jeff’s Motto at the end of January. The cameras are set to roll for the final time this weekend.

Mr Gould, who lives in South Park Road, also praised staff at the Kingston Road pub and its drinkers, who were not put off their pints by the sudden arrival of 70 burly extras.

Mr Gould said: “The Emma Hamilton has been absolutely brilliant about this. The landlord just said yes and loaned me the function room for free. You couldn’t have wished for a nicer guy.”