A bowler hat and a cane were the trademarks of her grandfather who is revered as a screen legend.

Kiera Chaplin's first lead role in a film, however, requires no such props, as Helen Gabriel reports...

Charlie Chaplin had made 35 films by the time he was 25. With his hat, twirling cane and moustache, his iconic image is still familiar today to millions across the world.

Kiera Chaplin is 22 and has yet to make a mark in the film world. That could change though with her first lead role which requires her to ride naked through the streets of Coventry.

In a bizarre modern version of the legend, Kiera (above) has signed up to star in Lady Godiva: Back in the Saddle and is due to start filming in the city in June.

The oldest daughter of Charlie's youngest son, Eugene, she has appeared inVogue, Elle andVanity Fair magazines and the erotic Pirelli calendar. She is yet to make her mark as an actress despite appearing in The Importance Of Being Earnest with Colin Firth and Rupert Everett.

The family movie is the brainchild of Coventry businessmen Dennis Timothy and Heath Jones, who hope it will enjoy similar international success to The Full Monty.

Mr Timothy said: "It is a family comedy for a worldwide audience, as the characters of Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom are known worldwide.

"We already have a great cast lined up. We finished casting in London on Friday and have made some offers. We should know the full cast by next week and are expecting one or two more decent names.

"The project has really taken off and the interest we have had is huge so we are very excited.

"It is more than 50 years since there was a film about Lady Godiva and we think it will appeal to a large audience."

Jennifer Tilly, who earned an Academy Award nomination for her performance in Woody Allen's Bullets over Broadway , and starred opposite Jim Carey in Hollywood blockbuster Liar Liar, is set to play the estranged wife of the mayor of Coventry.

Dead Ringers impressionist Jon Culshaw is signed up to play the local villain.

Director Baz Taylor has worked on Auf Wiedersehen Pet and Shooting Elizabeth starring Jeff Goldblum. Film makers are set to start shooting the comedy on June 20, with a modest £3million budget.

Mr Jones said: "We are very confident that the film will be a huge success.

"We have been working long and hard on this project and are delighted that our first film will be set in our home city.

"Lady Godiva is known worldwide we want to use that to produce a comedy which will have widespread appeal."