Da Vinci cast appear in public

Director Ron Howard walked through Lincoln chatting to the media

Top names behind the Da Vinci Code movie being filmed in Lincoln have finally appeared before the media.

Director Ron Howard strolled through Lincoln followed by cameramen. He told the BBC that the city was "beautiful, absolutely gorgeous and friendly".

He walked to Lincoln Cathedral, while Tom Hanks left for a car ride to work.

Mr Hanks signed the plaster cast of fan Ryan Beaumont, who had broken his arm. Asked for his view of the city, the star said: "Lovely town, nice people".

Mr Beaumont told the media the film star had asked him how he had broken his arm, and had then offered to sign his cast.

It is not that unusual to generate a little attention Ron Howard, director

Mr Hanks was caught on camera giving his only autograph so far, asking the Lincoln teenager: "What has happened to you? I will do this for you, because you are crippled. There you go."

He was then whisked away to filming from the doorstep of his hotel.

Mr Howard walked to work pursued by the media. Cameraman have been waiting for days for their first glimpse of the cast who are filming in the city.

Asked about the interest in the stars and the filming, he said: "It is a fascinating story, and not all that common that movies roll into town.

"It is not that unusual to generate a little attention."

The cast's appearance came the day after Sister Mary Michael, 61, knelt in prayer outside the cathedral building for 12 hours to object to the filming.

She claimed the film, based on a book written by Dan Brown, contains heresy.