The director of a heart-warming film featuring Game of Thrones star Jonathan Pryce has paid tribute to the people of Herne Bay for making it happen.

One Last Dance, which was largely shot in the town, was paid for through a crowdfunder which raised more than £18,000, with much of that coming from businesses and residents.

After a successful stint on the film festival circuit, it has now been released online following a special screening at the Kavanagh last month.

Director Luke Losey says people in Herne Bay bent over backwards to support and accommodate the film’s creators.

“Short films don’t get cinema releases and are not made for profit; it’s goodwill that gets them made,” he said.

“People had all different reasons for supporting us and I can’t fault anyone’s enthusiasm.

“We had an enormous amount of help because of their connection to the film. I must mention Scott Turner and the Bay Promo Team who got involved from the off.

“Being able to put it online is a way of saying thank you to everybody.”

The film, which is 13 minutes long, stars Pryce, who plays the High Sparrow in Game of Thrones and has a long list of acting credits, including Tomorrow Never Dies, Wolf Hall, Evita and Pirates of the Caribbean.

It tells the story of Jon, an elderly man who, on a visit to his grandson’s dance competition, sees a vision of his late wife.

They dance together, reigniting his passion for life and allowing him to reconnect with his past.

It is set in the decaying grandeur of an English seaside town with filming at the King’s Hall and along the seafront.

Mr Losey worked on the project with Whitstable writer Glen Laker, who has just written the new Prime Suspect, and the two of them approached Pryce to see if he would get involved.

“To our great surprise he accepted,” said Mr Losey.

“He said he liked the idea, but to write a little script and send it to him. He loved the idea and the character.”

Mr Losey says Herne Bay was also the obvious choice for the on-location filming.

“I’d been there a lot seeing friends and I knew it was the right place,” he said.

“A lot of seaside towns are either run down or one likes Whitstable, which are a bit trendy, but Herne Bay is neutral.

“It really suited the character with the old pier. It’s almost like him. It’s old, a bit lost in time, but still there.

“Herne Bay feels like a real place. It’s really beautiful.”

To watch One Last Dance, click here.