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In this implausible, Oxford-set romantic comedy, Jemima Honey (Phoebe Thomas) is a young teacher who wants to convert a local warehouse into a youth arts centre, but lacks cash to finish the project. Crossing the path of wealthy horse-rearing hunk Michael Bartle (Matthew Chambers), it seems her funding woes might be at an end: he falls instantly in love with her. But will Jemima's pride let her take his money or should she accept a lucrative newspaper bet to ride naked through the streets of the town, just like the film's titular noblewoman? It's hard to care in this lazily scripted British rom-com.

The film serves up, without irony, a hotchpotch of teenage horse-lover fantasies: poor Matt Chambers as the polo-playing Adonis is forced to take his top off at regular intervals, and the sweethearts enjoy their first coupling in a stable along with the white steed that will prove so useful later. It's all very Jilly Cooper. The supporting cast (nasty headmistresses, bumbling toffs and disapproving mums) are pure sitcom, whilst meaningless, anodyne pop songs cover scene transitions in a style reminiscent of Hollyoaks rather than Hollywood. And the 'let's set up an arts centre for local kids' plot is straight out of an earnest, early-80s kids' TV drama.

"THERE REALLY IS NO NEED"

The climax, in which Jemima parades naked for the good of her arts centre (watched, I kid you not, by an approving Prince William), is quite literally beyond belief: there really is no need for her to do it. Thankfully, the William lookalike stops short of an appreciative Leslie Phillips purr, but the questions raised by Jemima's striptease - exploiter or exploited? - aren't even touched on.

It's a huge achievement for anyone to find funding for an independent film, as director Vicky Jewson as done here. But because she states in the production notes "I'm not a film buff: I don't go watching and gauging loads off other films", it's hard not to regret that another young director, one with a genuine love of movies, didn't secure the funding instead, and put it to better use.

Lady Godiva is out in the UK on 25th January 2008.