LILLI-ELLA Kelleher is just five years old but has already got a taste of the Hollywood high-life after starring in the blockbuster movie The Da Vinci Code.

Lilli, of Haslingden, has never done any acting before but was picked by director Ron Howard for a part in the multi-million pound film after a nationwide search to find a little girl to play leading-lady Sophie Neveu as a four-year-old the character played in adult life by actress Audrey Tautou.

Little Lilli and her mum Justine were flown first-class around the country during filming and stayed in five-star hotels alongside the film's stars double Oscar winner Tom Hanks, Sir Ian McKellen, Paul Bettany and Audrey Tatou.

Mum Justine said: "Lilli has been with EuroKids International Casting and Modelling agency in Warrington since she was 16 months old.

"Although she had done some modelling before she had never done any film or television work.

"Last May the agency rang us to say The Da Vinci Code casting directors had seen Lilli's picture and wanted us to go to London.

"A month later we got another call to say Lilli had been shortlisted down to the last three and could we go back to London to meet Ron Howard. We started getting excited then.

"When we got to Pinewood Studios there were two other little girls there who looked just like Lilli they were looking for a child who resembled Audrey Tautou.

"They asked her questions to see how she followed instructions. It wasn't until the following week that we were told Lilli had got the part.

"I quickly went out and bought the book so I knew what the film was going to be about."

Lilli's first filming session was at Pinewood Studios in London, and then she was flown to Scotland to film at Rosslyn Chapel in Perthshire for the most talked about film of the year.

Justine said: "It was absolutely amazing. We were staying in the same hotel as Ron Howard and Tom Hanks and were treated so well.

"When we first walked into the chapel for filming it was so dark and scary and there were so many cameras and people that even I was daunted, never mind Lilli.

"But Ron Howard came straight over and showed Lilli round he really put her at ease.

"At the end of filming in Scotland they threw a party for all the cast and crew which we were invited to and Tom Hanks and Ron Howard arrived in kilts.

"Audrey Tautou was so lovely and down to earth she was dancing with Lilli. She is even more beautiful in real life than she is in pictures."

The film was released this weekend and Stubbins County Primary School pupil Lilli is starting to get excited about seeing herself on screen.

Justine said: "At first I don't think she really understood what was going on, but now people are talking to her about it I think she is beginning to realise.

"I originally signed Lilli up for EuroKids to give her confidence I never imagined it would lead to a part in a film like this.

"It might lead to more, or it might be a one off.

"But it has been an amazing experience for Lilli and for me. I for one will never look at a film in the same way again now I have seen how much effort goes into it and how much attention to detail there is."