HOLLYWOOD A-lister Johnny Depp could soon be reprising one of his most famous movie roles for a special appearance in Weston.

The famous actor, who played Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, has been asked to officially open the Bournville estate’s new chocolate garden next year.

Members of Bournville Area Residents’ Association came up with the idea about a month ago and enlisted the help of the junior wardens to entice the VIP to the town.

The youngsters have written letters to the Pirates of the Caribbean star, which were due to be faxed to his agent in Los Angeles this week.

Junior wardens Tamzen and Michaela wrote: “We want to write to you because you was in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (I love that film!) and you have the experience we want.”

Another letter reads: “We are looking for that special someone to open this fantastic garden and as you played Willy Wonka we thought you are the ideal person to open the chocolate garden.”

As a contingency plan some of the wardens also wrote to Top Gear to ask if Jeremy Clarkson would do the honour of cutting the ribbon at the facility’s official opening.

Members of the Bournville community are excited about their ‘ambitious’ plans - but aren’t getting too carried away with the prospect of recruiting a famous actor to open their long-awaited garden, which was built to reflect the estate’s link to chocolate.

Anne Riney, BARA chairman, said: “It’s a lovely idea but I’m not sure we would get Johnny Depp in Weston in February.

“It would be wonderful to have him here but we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Vicki Rooke, of the Neighbourhood Management Team, said: “It would be quite a coup – it would be amazing to get him to open the garden, and it is very appropriate considering his role in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

Johnny, who was rumoured to have bought a home in the South West, isn’t averse to making special appearances at small events.

In October he made an unannounced appearance at a London primary school near where he was filming scenes for the fourth instalment of the Pirates of the Caribbean film series.

The 47-year-old turned up dressed as Jack Sparrow after receiving a letter from a pupils asking for his help with a class mutiny.