A new documentary on the pains and pleasures of growing old in Britain is coming to Hexham this summer.

Released by independent film-maker Harvey Marcus, Waterloo Sunset depicts the lives of elderly residents living in Hopton’s Almshouses, amidst the towering luxury apartments and office blocks of modern London.

The film, set to show in the Forum Cinema, Hexham on July 22 and July 24, casts a much-needed spotlight on the challenges of ageing in Britain.

Mr Marcus, explaining the backstory, said: "It is a documentary about a section of the population that has largely been ignored and forgotten for decades - Britain’s elderly."

Waterloo Sunset explores several lived experiences, from health issues to the impact of evolving technologies, giving an insight on how Britain's elderly population often is overlooked.

The film also offers a counter-perspective to the frequent portrayal of the old as those merely seeking sympathy, or characteristically grumpy.

Adding a twinge of hope and life-affirming narratives, the documentary introduces residents like Shamus Dark, a 76-year-old man aspiring to top the music charts one day; and an art teacher and yogi, Jenny Adams, aged 93.

(Image: Harvey Marcus)

Mr Marcus explained the essence of his documentary saying: "Waterloo Sunset is by no means a campaigning film.

"It is a story of a community, change and what it means to grow old in today’s Britain, but also a tale of hope, wisdom and inspiration."

The duration of the documentary is 90 minutes.

Besides Hexham, the film is also scheduled to be screened at 15 independent cinemas across Britain including at Keswick Alhambra on July 25 and at Kendal's Brewery Arts on July 31.

Prior to Waterloo Sunset, Harvey Marcus had directed the 2018 documentary Beneath The Clocktower.