FILMING for a documentary chronicling a young boy’s interest in the early life of Stan Laurel is underway.

Arthur Stanley Jefferson was born in his grandparents’ house on June 16, 1890, on Argyle Street in Ulverston.

He would go on to form part of the celebrated comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.

He died in February 1965 aged 74 in California.

Over 10 years ago Brian and Julie Worthington, of Wigan, produced feature film Stan’s Childhood documenting his early years growing up in Ulverston.

Now, 10 years on, their grandson Harry Milne-Carter is playing the role of a young boy looking to find out more about Stan after watching their film.

The nine-year-old interviews some of the cast of the film as part of the documentary and visits places where the film, which premiered at the Empire in Wigan in 2012, was shot, including Gilliam’s, where a young Stan shopped with his grandmother for Beers treacle toffee.

The Gillam family have had a presence in Ulverston since 1892 when John James Gillam opened his cash and wholesale grocers on Market Street.

Generations of the Gillam family worked in the business until it closed in 1994.

Doug Gillam and his wife Shirley reopened the shop in 2006, creating the tearoom and later the grocers.

Brian explained: “From about the age of five or six, I was introduced to Stan Laurel films by my grandad.

“Around 1989 there was a double-page article in one of our local newspapers promoting the centenary of Stan Laurel in Ulverston.

“It was only at that point I realised Stan was born in this country. I thought he was an American but he was born and brought up just up the road from us.

“There’s not enough about his life in Ulverston.

“This young lad is bursting for knowledge and wants to find out more. It’s rejuvenated interest.”

The documentary is expected to be finished by July. Filming began in October 2022.

Stan’s Childhood was shot in Ulverston, Wigan and Manchester and saw semi-professional and amateur actors bring to life hours of research completed by the Worthington family.