Three special charity screenings of the Oscar-tipped film The King’s Speech sold out within days of being announced.

They were arranged thanks to former BAFTA chairman Richard Price, a long term resident of Aldbourne, who was involved in the early development of the film and its subsequent production.

Mr Price has arranged for two screenings in aid of the Aldbourne Band, of which he is a keen supporter and trustee, and another in aid of Ramsbury’s defibrillator appeal.

The first screening is due to take place tomorrow evening at the Ramsbury Roxy – where films are regularly shown – in the Ramsbury Memorial Hall, in aid of the defibrillator fund.

There’s a second showing at the Roxy on Saturday afternoon and then the film will be taken to the Aldbourne Memorial Hall to be shown on Saturday night.

Mr Price, who is a Fellow of the Royal Television Society and was also involved with the development of Mamma Mia!, said he was delighted with the response to The King’s Speech screenings.

He said: “The huge local reaction meaning that three performances have had to be scheduled is very pleasing and I am very happy that two of our local charities will gain substantially.”

Mr Price plans to be at the showings to introduce the film.