Palliative Care East Appeal patron Tony Mallion, appeal coordinator Jenny Watson, fundraiser and matron Dawn Taylor - who bought the Daniel Craig cut-out - and appeal chairman John Hemming.

IT had all the markings of a top film premiere - and indeed it was, although this was Great Yarmouth’s Hollywood Cinema.

However, last night saw the resort host the UK preview of the new James Bond film Skyfall, raising nearly £3,500 at the same time for the Palliative Care East Appeal.

Filmgoers dressed up to make it a night to remember, mingling in the foyer before taking their seats to watch Daniel Craig leap into action again as the super agent 007. And a cardboard cut-out of Daniel Craig sold at auction for £250, with other memorabilia going under the hammer.

Only last week, appeal organisers revealed the charity started to provide a palliative care centre in the grounds of the James Paget University Hospital had reached its £1.5m target, and building work has started.

Appeal coordinator Jenny Watson said: “I think it is wonderful that people realise we still need to keep fundraising despite having reached our initial target for building the centre.

“The centre has been built out of love, distress and sorrow. It is down to evenings like this, where we all come together to show support. It has been made by the people for the people.”

Members of the public had paid £20 for the privilege of seeing the much anticipated movie before the rest of the country.

Harry Gaskin, 18, from Bradwell, said: “It was really good how it referenced other James Bond movies. It is one of the best for a while.”

And Vicky Staegemann, 33, from Lingwood, said: “It was amazing, with the action and twists and the way it tied in and made sense with all the other movies. Certainly well worth seeing.”

Ellie Bignall, 16, from Beccles said she found the film funny.

“It was good, quite funny and made me laugh. I liked Casino Royale, maybe this comes in a close second.

“Javier Bardem as the villain was probably the best part of the film, and I like that it had an original storyline.”