Jonathan Pryce becomes patron of Scala Cinema, Prestatyn

Jonathan Pryce's father was a former miner in the Holywell area

Film star Jonathan Pryce has become patron of a cinema near his home village.

Pryce, who was born in Carmel, near Holywell, is the first person to take on role at the Scala Cinema and Arts Centre in Prestatyn, Denbighshire.

Manager Chris Bond said he hoped Pryce - a villain in James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies - would hold question and answer sessions at the cinema.

Mr Bond said he was delighted Pryce had agreed to the request.

He said the arts centre approached Pryce's agent last year. It was originally planned to announce the patronage with a question and answer session with the star, but he is busy filming.

Mr Bond said: "Rather than hold off we thought we would announce it now.

"He has said he's very keen to come to the Scala.

"We have film-makers here and he said he would like to support them in any way he can."

Jonathan Pryce, who was made a CBE in 2009, has been described as one of Britain's most versatile actors.

Born in 1947, he was raised in Holywell, Flintshire, where his father, a former coal miner, ran a grocery shop.

He played evil media magnate Elliot Carver in Tomorrow Never Dies in 1997, as well as Keira Knightley's father in Pirates of the Caribbean.