THE screening of the film Pillock Conquers the World at Liphook’s Millennium Centre before Christmas has generated a wealth of interest from around the world, after it was featured on the BBC’s website.

Requests to buy the DVD have arrived from all over the UK and more copies had to be produced to meet the demand.

From their departure at The Deer’s Hut pub at Griggs Green in September 1969 to their triumphant return in July 1972, the film documents the epic journey which took nine young men across Europe to Persia and Afghanistan, through the Khyber Pass to Pakistan and India, then on to Australia and, finally, to the United States and Canada.

Pillock Conquers The World had its gala world charity premiere at the Rex Cinema in Haslemere in July 1982, with the proceeds going to the Liphook Carnival.

And its recent revival raised £1,000 for the carnival committee to help fund the next renewal of the colourful community fundraiser.

Initially to win a pint of beer each, Bob Hall, Adrian Bird, Dick Hayes, Alan Hughes, Richard King, Tim Palmer, John Wilson, Clive Hughes and Tony Hough crossed deserts and mountains, paying their way by singing folk songs as The Philanderers and making numerous live appearances all across the world.

Paul Johnson, who helped to organise the event, said: “Many of the people who came to the second screening also attended the world premiere of the film at the Rex Cinema in Haslemere in 1982.

“Everyone was amazed by the scale of the achievement of nine young men from Liphook.

“Despite having seen the film before the audience was astounded by evocative images of foreign countries which must have felt so alien in 1969 when world travel was very limited.

“The film also came to the attention of the organisers of the Adventure Travel Film Festival, who have invited the Pillock organisation to their next festivals, which take place in Australia from February 12-14 and in London from August 14-16.

“The bus will attend the London event but is not making the journey to Australia for the Southern Hemisphere showing.

“However, Hairy Pillock will be taking to the continent again in 2016 and plans for the trip are well under way.”

Carnival committee chairman Karen Feeney said: “We are delighted to have received a cheque for £1,000 from the Pillock organisation and would like to express our sincere thanks.

“We were honoured the evening was held at the Millennium Centre in aid of the carnival committee. The money will go towards the cost of holding the Liphook Carnival in 2016.”

The Pillock organisation has a long-standing historic link with the carnival and The Deer’s Hut, which still enters outstanding floats every year.