MIX together a handful of celebrities, a list of Preston's who's who and a pinch of extras, film makers and crew, and the result is a spicy preview of Chicken Tikka Masala, the first film to be set in the city.

More than 200 people, including stars of the film, Chris Bisson of Coronation Street and Fat Friends' Sally Bankes watched the movie at an invitation-only preview at UCI, Preston Riversway.

The romantic comedy which was filmed in the city during the summer, features landmarks, including Preston North End Football Club and the Harris Museum.

The evening, organised as a thank you to contributors included Preston's mayor, Councillor Pat Woods, and representatives from both the city and county councils, on its guest list.

But it was the 90 minute film that stole the show with its funny yet tragic characters who get embroiled in each other's lives after the parents of Jimi (Chris Bisson) arrange for him to marry, oblivious to the fact he has been seeing his gay lover, for three years.

Sally Bankes, from Southport, said: "The film has a lot of funny parts but on a deeper level the characters have very sad stories to tell. But I think that's the great thing about it."

And Sally, despite numerous risque scenes and bad language, did not blush despite being accompanied by her parents, niece and 96-year-old grandma.

She said: "I'm sure the sex scenes were my dad's proudest moments. But at the end of the day they know that's not me."

Rony Ghosh, of Seven Spice Productions, completed the romantic comedy with fellow producer Sanjay Tandon and Preston director Harmage Singh Kalirai on a budget of £1.2million.

They are now in negotiations with distributors to put the film on general release.

Mr Ghosh said: "We'll start with about 15 cinemas centred in the North West and take it from there, but we'll make sure it's the people of Preston who see it first because without them it wouldn't have been possible."