The makers of Hollywood blockbuster The Da Vinci Code are desperate for middle-aged men to join double Oscar- winner Tom Hanks on set.

London-based casting company Mad Dog claims it has a serious shortage of local men aged over 40 who want to appear as extras in the £50 million thriller.

They are calling on Lincolnshire men to embrace their mid-life crisis and mingle with the film's glittering array of stars.

The successful candidates will get to rub shoulders with the likes of leading man Hanks, French actress Audrey Tautou, star of the hit film Amelie, and Oscar-winning director Ron Howard.

The shortage of middle-aged men was revealed in e-mails sent to major employers in Lincoln.

In these, Mad Dog casting director Ilenka Jelowicki said: "We are working on an American feature film shooting in Lincoln in August. We have been casting in Lincoln but we are still desperately looking for men aged 40 and over to take part."

Clergy at Lincoln Cathedral signed a £100,000 deal in May to allow Hollywood producers to use the world-famous minster as a set.

The cathedral is to double for London's Westminster Abbey in the adaptation of the novel, which has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide.

Lincolnshire County Council PR support worker Ian Pilcher got one of the Mad Dog e-mails and is keen to get involved.

But the 46-year-old from Lincoln said he could understand why there is a shortage of men.

"Most of us are working and probably don't have time for auditions like this," he said. "It's also school holiday time and family men will be off with their children.

"Add to that the embarrassment factor and you're not going to get many of us. I guess some people might view it as a bit of an unmanly thing to do. But I'd love it - it would be a fascinating experience."

Mad Dog held extras auditions at Lincoln Drill Hall two weeks ago.

Drill Hall administrator Gavin Street said the response had been fantastic. "We had more than 500 people - it was absolutely packed and there was a real buzz about the place.

"Everyone was talking about the book and the stars that were going to be in the film."

Filming is in Lincoln on August 17, 18 and 19. Extras will be fed, watered and paid £80 a day for their time. Costume fittings take place this week, so anyone interested needs to get in touch with Mad Dog as soon as possible.

Call (0207) 482 4703 for details.

 The Da Vinci Code is a novel and therefore a work of fiction. While the book's characters and their actions are obviously not real, the artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals depicted in this novel all exist for example, Leonardo Da Vinci's paintings, the Gnostic Gospels, Hieros Gamos, etc.). These real elements are interpreted and debated by fictional characters. While it is my belief that some of the theories discussed by these characters may have merit, each individual reader must explore these characters' viewpoints and come to his or her own interpretations. My hope in writing this novel was that the story would serve as a catalyst and a springboard for people to discuss the important topics of faith, religion, and history.