Ref. 29498-10DESPITE the fact that 2001 has now been and passed, for some people in Swindon, 2001 is still very much the future.

Which is why a crowd of eager movie enthusiasts turned out yesterday to meet the two stars of 2001: A Space Odyssey, director Stanley Kubrick's 1968 science fiction classic.

Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood, who played astronauts David Bowman and Frank Poole, were visiting the Infinitely Better store in the Brunel Shopping Centre.

According to IB owner Steve Goss: "Most of our stuff is mainstream but this type of movie is so cult, it'll attract very loyal fans."

One such fan was Michael Little, 65, who said: "I've come to be photographed with them."

The two stars themselves said they were delighted by how many young people now turned out to meet them.

Despite the film being more than 35 years old, Keir Dullea, 67, said he was constantly delighted by the young audiences who continue to be affected by the movie.

"It's very trans-generational," he said. "Which is wonderful for the two of us."