The red carpet was rolled out in the heart of the Lake District as actors from the new Swallows and Amazons film arrived for the world premiere.

The book by Arthur Ransome, which is set in the Lakes, was published in 1929 and first turned into a film in 1974. It tells the tale of two families of children and involves sailing, camping, exploration and even piracy.

The latest adaption also takes some influence from Ransome's real-life role in MI6, which was uncovered just a few years ago.

Much of the film was shot around Derwentwater and Coniston, and so it seemed fitting that the premiere was held at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick.

Star Kelly Macdonald - who plays Mrs Walker, the mother of four children, John, Susan, Tatty and Roger - said it had been her first experience of the Lake District.

Kelly, who has also starred in Trainspotting and Boardwalk Empire , said: "I know people are passionate about this part of the country and I totally understand that.

"I'm glad that the premiere is happening in Keswick. We were filming here a year ago and it's good to be back.

"I've always just whizzed by on the train when I was going back to Scotland. Every day it was just beautiful and we visited so many beautiful locations."

Kelly said she had not read the book as a child, but soon became aware of what the storyline meant to those that read it when they were young.

"I know it's something that stays in people's hearts," she added. "If you read it as a child it sticks with you forever. I hadn't been aware of it but now my son has read it.

"I think it's that thing of kids having an adventure - like Enid Blyton's Famous Five and the Goonies - and you just can't beat it.

"It's families having lovely picnics in the glorious British countryside."

Fellow actress Jessica Hynes, who plays Mrs Jackson, has previously visited the Lake District and said she is in love with the area.

"I came up to Keswick for the first time when my first son was 10-months-old to go walking, nearly 18 years ago," she explained.

"I'd never been to the Lake District and so I just turned up. This was when you could go walking in the Lakes with a tour guide around Keswick.

"I fell in love with Keswick that first time and have been back since then and also to Buttermere.

"It's just a beautiful place to come and just witness the glory of nature. There's nothing that's hard-edged about it, it's just a beautiful place."

Jessica had only just returned from a family holiday in Portugal, but was keen to attend the premiere.

"It's a brilliant idea to hold it in Keswick," she said. "I was just so excited at the thought that even for just a day I'd get to come up and be in the Lakes to support the film."

Hannah Jayne Thorp, who plays Peggy Blackett, is from Burneside, near Kendal and said she had enjoyed being able to film in her home county.

The 13-year-old said: "It's been great because I've known of the book, I know the story and I've been able to stay in touch with friends as well."

The film opens to the public on August 19.