Rhys Ifans's neighbour, who apparently provided inspiration for the Welsh actor's latest role, said he was impressed with the film after going to a screening in Liverpool on Thursday.

Once Upon a Time in the Midlands is set in Nottingham and stars Ifans as a garage owner who opens the film by proposing to his girlfriend on a daytime TV show.

He (Ifans) tried to warn me that the character was a bit of a plonker but that he had no resemblance to myself

Neighbour, Emyr Evans

The north Wales born actor invited mechanic Emyr Evans, who has lived next door to the Ifans family in Ruthin for 30 years, to the preview.

The film, which also starred Scottish actor Robert Carlyle, was screened at Cannes and was released in the UK on Friday.

It is about two men - Carlyle as the dangerous ex-boyfriend and Ifans as the dependable but socially inept partner - both vying for the attention of a Midlands' woman.

Rhys Ifans plays Dek whose world falls apart when his girlfriend rejects his TV marriage proposal.

Directed by Shane Meadows, the film has been billed as a spoof spaghetti Western set in a working-class milieu.

Mr Evans said he thoroughly enjoyed the film and thought it was extremely funny.

Commenting on Ifans' role, Mr Evans said: "He was portrayed as a down trodden mechanic who was not a very forceful character".

"He (Ifans) tried to warn me that the character was a bit of a plonker but that he had no resemblance to myself."

Mr Evans said he and his wife Christine were delighted to be invited to the screening.

"Rhys had said that he had mentioned me during an interview.

"I didn't think anything of it until Rhys' parents asked us to go to the preview."