A MAJOR new movie filmed on Keighley’s steam heritage railway goes on release on Friday.

Scenes for Testament of Youth were shot, mainly in and around Keighley Station, over two days last March.

The joint BBC Films and Heyday Films production portrays the traumatic experiences of author Vera Brittain, who volunteers as a nurse and sets off for France during the First World War.

Filming on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (K&WVR) included dialogue sequences within a specially constructed tearoom and on carriages, including some from the Ingrow Museum of Rail Travel.

The film’s promotional poster features an image of the two principal characters, played by Alicia Vickander and Kit Harrington, on Platform 4 at Keighley.

Preparations for shooting of the movie were spread over a fortnight and about 50 K&WVR volunteers were involved.

Roger France, the railway’s filming liaison officer, said: “We work closely with Film Yorkshire in promoting the local area to film makers and this is another example of a large, mainly London-based crew coming to Yorkshire with all the attendant benefits to the local economy.

“In that context we are particularly delighted that the promotional poster contains the image on Platform Four, plus the trailer for the film prominently shows scenes shot on the railway.

“We hope this will attract other location managers to look to the K&WVR for future projects.”