A classic movie, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, was screened on Friday (25 September) in Stafford Borough as part of the Pocket Film Festival.

'3 Bad Men', directed by John Ford, was enjoyed by audiences at Stone's Crown Wharf Theatre, marking the festival's opening night.

Set during the 1876 Dakota gold rush, the movie follows three outlaws who accidentally rescue a young woman from a group of bandits.

Released in 1926, the silent Western is a firm favourite of many film lovers and has been screened at festivals around the world in commemoration of its 100th birthday.

Accompaniment was provided by British Film Institute pianist, Meg Morley, bringing the movie to life for Pocket Film festival-goers.

Meg, who is originally from Melbourne, is a classically trained pianist and has worked with various dance companies including Matthew Bourne, Pina Bausch and English National Ballet.

In 2016, she performed her first improvised score for silent film and now regularly plays at film festivals across the world.

Meg said: "It feels really good to be in a room with people creating music for a film that's 100 years old.

"Of course, you can't replicate exactly what musicians back then would have played and I don't think you should.

"But I do try to reference something of that era.

"This is the second time I've played for this film.

"I like doing it again because you get more familiar with film.

"I think silent films have been considered by some people incomplete because there's no sound.

"But I don't think that at all.

"There's a live element to it so it's just a different way of experiencing film.

"If you haven't experienced silent film with live music, it really is quite a thing."

Festival director, Owen Hurcombe, said it was great to be hosting the event in such a "beautiful venue" and that there has been a lot of engagement with this year's festival.

The Pocket Film Festival continues across Stafford borough and beyond this week including screenings of 'The Christophers', 'Stand by Me' and 'This is England'.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Upcoming screenings:

Until Saturday 3 October- 'Salt in Stafford' (Free event at Baswich Library)

Until Saturday 3 October- 'In and Around Stafford 1964' (Free event at Stafford Library)

Monday 28 September- Square Eyes Short Film Night (Brewhouse Arts Centre)

Tuesday 29 September- 'Stand by Me' (Perton Library)

Tuesday 29 September- 'The Christophers' (Gatehouse Theatre)

Wednesday 30 September- 'Rye Lane' (Unit Twelve Gallery, Hixon)

Thursday 1 October- 'This is England' (Brewhouse Arts Centre)

Friday 2 October- 'Who do we think we are? - Staffordshire Film Archive' (Acton Trussell Community Centre)

Saturday 3 October- 'Distinctively Staffordshire' (Perton Library)

Saturday 3 October- 'Song of the Sea' (Baswich Library)

CLOSING EVENT Saturday 3 October- 'Faust' with live organ accompaniment by Darius Battiwalla (Holy Trinity Church, Eccleshall)

Click here for more information about the Pocket Film Festival.