BOROUGH businesses are invited to sponsor a short film being created for charity by a Black Country director and featuring a host of famous faces.

Halesowen film director Kevin Powis, who shot his first feature The Golden Sphere in Stourbridge, is getting set to start filming his latest flick Waiting in Rhyme - having enlisted TV funnyman Les Dennis to take on the title role.

The 15-minute movie is set in the waiting room of a GP’s surgery.

And 54-year-old Les Dennis - best-known for hosting TV gameshow Family Fortunes - will star as a man waiting to find out if he has cancer.

It’s not the first time Kevin and producer Martin Nigel Davey have enlisted the services of the stars.

Their last film, Expresso, featured screen legend Sir Norman Wisdom and raised thousands of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Kevin told the News: “Les has been involved in the project from a very early stage, he was keen to be in it as soon as we approached him.

“After he finishes filming with us he is heading straight to London to appear in his latest stage show - that shows you the dedication he has.”

The script has been written from a range of poetry sent to the team from across the world. All the actors will speak in rhyme with the help of coaching from Birmingham poet Giovanni Esposito - better known as Spoz.

Other popular names set to appear include former Coronation Street actor Geoffrey Hughes and Sally Lindsay, Dani Harmer who plays popular teen character Tracy Beaker and Finty Williams, the actress daughter of Dame Judi Dench.

Kevin and Martin had been hoping to get former Corrie star Johhny Briggs onboard, but the veteran actor - who had a home in Stourbridge for many years - is unavailable.

A host of Black Country talent are also set to feature in the film, and will be helping out on the set.

Kevin said all proceeds from the film, which is being privately funded and turned into a DVD, will again go to Macmillan Cancer Support.

He added: “Hopefully the new film will be as successful as Expresso - but it is not often you will find a short film sells as well as that.

“What makes it possible is the fact these stars are prepared to take time out of their busy schedules to appear.”

Martin Nigel Davey said businesses are still needed to sponsor the film, which is costing thousands to make.

He said: “If any local companies want to help, make a donaton or sponsor the film, we’ll put their logo on our official website.”

The film will be shot at Hillscourt Conference Centre, Rednal, from Sunday September 28 to Wednesday October 1.

For more information or to sponsor the film visit www.poetryfilm.com