Affleck to film Agatha adaptation

HOLLYWOOD actor Ben Affleck is preparing to direct and star in a big-screen adaptation of Agatha Christie’s short story The Witness For The Prosecution.

The news comes just days after the BBC announced filming had begun on a two-part television version of the thriller, which will star Sex And The City actress Kim Cattrall and Dad’s Army actor Toby Jones.

Affleck is close to signing a deal for the adaptation of the 23-page story, which is set in 1920s London and starts with the murder of heiress Emily French.

The rival BBC version has been adapted by Sarah Phelps and will also star Bloodline actress Andrea Riseborough.

The murder mystery reunites the team behind And Then There Were None, which was watched by more than eight million people last Christmas.

The last film adaptation of the story was directed by Billy Wilder in 1957 and starred Marlene Dietrich.

A “GHOST VILLAGE” which was deserted during World War Two and taken over by the military has been opened to the public.Imber, in Wiltshire, is normally closed to civilians as it acts as an MoD training zone.It was abandoned in 1943 when villagers were told by the army to pack their bags and make way for US troops to train.Now, Imber is opened up to busloads of visitors for just a couple of days a year.