Every shade of pink Barbie belts created for film - by local Essex company

Barbie, one of the most highly anticipated films of the year, hits cinemas across the UK today.

One accessory maker from Essex and his team will be among those headed to big screens, after being involved in making several belts for the film.

Neil Stock runs Harlequin in Little Bromley, Manningtree, who told Greatest Hits Radio he was quite surprised when he saw the name "Barbie" come through on one of their order forms.

Neil said: "When that came in, it actually had the name Barbie on it, and there were lots of fabrics in all sorts of different shades of pink!"

"I think we were all quite excited, I'd be lying if we said we weren't! This Barbie movie has been exciting and sort of stimulating conversation and dialogue between people ever since it was first announced."

Several different belts were made from several different orders over a year ago, which Neil says ranged from "bright bubble gum pink and soft subtle pinks - they were fabulous".

However, although Neil will be watching the film, he doesn't expect to be able to remember to spot his belts. When previously watching Downtown Abbey, which they provided buttons for, Neil said "I used to watch it every Sunday when it was on television to see the buttons we had made, I'd end up completely forgetting I was meant to be button spotting as you get so gripped with the drama and the production and the story.

"I'd have to watch re-runs of it!"

Neil believes it's a great way to involve small independent businesses and to provide them with exciting work, and the fact that it gives them an opportunity to be part of a big production such as Barbie, which he says is a "very proud moment" and gives them all a great sense of pride.

Barbie is in cinemas from today.

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