A LOCAL media student planning to make a film centred on the Okehampton area for his final year project is appealing for help from the community.

Luke Tilbury, 21, who is a BA student at the University of Westminster, is in search of actors, a transit van and sponsorship in order to make his 15-minute film entitled 'Auto-Trader'.

Luke's childhood in mid-Devon will form the inspiration for the film which tells the story of a boy who feels alienated in his village and in his desire for escape he becomes involved in a burglary which goes horribly wrong.

The screenplay is by Luke, who explained that it was based on the boy-racer culture which exists in Devon.

'It is really a coming of age piece where having committed an awful act and served his time in prison the main character is accepted into the village again,' he said.

The film, which the student hopes to show in film festivals around the country, will be submitted as Luke's final-year project for his degree course in contemporary media practice.

Although he and three other students working on the project have received £100 towards the costs from the university, Luke, who will be based at his mother's house in North Tawton during the filming, estimates that the total bill will be around £1,000.

'I am hoping to get some funding locally — ideally, we would like a transit van so it can be used to transport the crew and equipment around to various locations,' he said.

Actors are also being sought as the play will feature nine characters, so Luke is on the look-out for stars from local amateur dramatic societies.

'It would be a good stepping stone for amateur actors who are hoping to go into the business,' he added. 'Unfortunately, we cannot pay them but we hope to have some money for expenses.'

A reccennoitre of the area for possible film locations in Cheriton Bishop, North Tawton and Okehampton is currently being carried out.

'The film is going to show the beauty of the area and the sense of community which exists in a village,' said Luke, whose ambition is to be a film director or producer.

If anyone can help Luke contact him on 07771 573853.