A PICTURESQUE Wiltshire town will be transformed into an 1850s set for a new film starring Da Vinci Code actor Paul Bettany.

The actor will be in Bradford on Avon for two days at the end of November filming scenes for his latest film Creation, an adaption of the book Annie’s Box by Randal Keys, which focuses on the life of Charles Darwin, who Bettany will play.

Temporary road closures will be in force for Church Street and Newtown for two days for exterior shots and film preparation work, such as road covers and the removal of street furniture.

Bradford’s mayor Cllr Paul Skidmore said: “We are very excited about it obviously. Anything that puts Bradford on the map I’m going to agree with.”

The film, which also stars Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Connelly as Mrs Darwin, tells the story of Darwin’s relationship with his family, in particular his daughter Annie, and his personal struggles with writing The Origin of the Species. Connelly, who won a best supporting actress Oscar in 2002 for the film Beautiful Mind, is not expected in Bradford for filming.

Parts of the town will be transformed into the hillside spa town of Malvern in the 1850s for the segment of the film where Darwin visits the Worcestershire town for health treatment.

Residents and local businesses have been sent letters informing them of the filming, which is being carried out by Recorded Picture Company, based at Pinewood Studios.

Locations manager Jamie Lengyel said: “As the locations manager, I have to find a town that has the period scale, the right atmosphere and the geographical layout for the scenes we need to film.”

There had been concerns raised by Wiltshire County Council’s highways engineer, Andy Cadwallader, over the temporary road covering of earthy gravel that could cause problems with drainage in Church Street.

Mr Lengyel dismissed this idea.

He said: “We have had meetings with Highways in order to work out how to take our locations back to period and how to do it safely with minimum obstruction.”

Church Street will be closed to motorists from the junction of Market Street to Holy Trinity Church from 6pm on Saturday November 22 to 10pm on Sunday November 23.

Newtown will be closed from the junction with Conigre Hall to Belcombe Road from 6pm on Sunday November 23 to 10pm Monday November 24.

Diversions will be in place to and from Turleigh via Winsley Road and there will be marshalled access for residents living in Wine Street.

Additional filming will take place in Rosemary Walk and Barton Steps on November 25, although no road closures will be in place.