SIR Sean Connery aims to be at the opening night of the Edinburgh Film Festival on Wednesday despite chipping a bone in his shoulder after falling during a round of golf in New York State.

SIR Sean Connery aims to be at the opening night of the Edinburgh Film Festival on Wednesday despite chipping a bone in his shoulder after falling during a round of golf in New York State.

His spokeswoman Nancy Seltzer said last night that he tripped while playing a round with his stepson Stephane and friends at a course in Westchester on Friday.

He is not in hospital, but his arm is in a sling.

Sir Sean was not available for comment. "He's driving back to New York City and is feeling fine," said Ms Seltzer.

The Scots movie star is patron of the film festival, along with Tilda Swinton. He is due to fly to Scotland tomorrow and appear on Wednesday evening at the premiere of the opening film, The Edge of Love, a drama about Dylan Thomas's love life, starring Keira Knightley.

He takes his role as patron very seriously and the fact that the festival venues are all so close to his boyhood home adds an extra, nostalgic dimension.

The opening night premiere takes place at Cineworld at Fountain Park, just a few hundred yards from the tenement where he grew up. In the past he has taken the opportunity to walk past old haunts on his way back into the city centre from screenings.

Ms Seltzer said: "For now his plans remain the same." She added that the injury was "not complicated" and he should be able to make the transatlantic crossing.