IF you fancy acquiring a few fashion tips from Nicole Kidman, Swindon has the answer.

Lydiard House is showcasing a stunning array of costumes used in blockbuster films, including a dress worn by the Holly-wood beauty.

The Fashion in Film exhibition, starting today, aims to bring Victorian characters to life in a stately setting.

Outfits from costume dramas like Gosford Park, The Golden Bowl, Portrait Of A Lady and The Way We Live Now all star in the display.

And for more exotic tastes, a bejewelled Maharajah robe and turban, worn by Indiana Jones' child sidekick in The Temple of Doom, is also featured.

Sarah Finch-Crisp, keeper of Lydiard House, said: "The costumes are extremely impressive and it is great to see them in their authentic context."

The impressive costumes, each insured for £2,500, will be worn by mannequins in the dining room, drawing room and bedroom.

Visitors can marvel at the white cotton day dress and silk parasol worn by Nicole Kidman during a passionate scene of seduction in Portrait of a Lady.

There is also a velvet embossed dress, sported by Maggie Smith in Gosford Park, and embroidered bodice worn by Shelley Duvall in Portrait of a Lady.

The costumes are on loan from Cosprop, a London-based costume house that boasts thousands of outfits from major films and television productions.

Mrs Finch-Crisp said: "Choosing the costumes was quite a challenge. But we decided to select styles in keeping with our history."

The St John family lived in Lydiard House until 1943, so the furnishings suit this era.

Justine Moss, exhibitions assistant at Cosprop, said: "It is wonderful to see such elegant fashions in equally beautiful surroundings."

The exhibition continues until September 1 and admission costs £1.40 for adults and 70p for under 15-year-olds. For more information call Swindon 770401.