AN award-winning film centred on the scenery of the Yorkshire Dales National Park is to play in Okehampton's New Carlton Cinema next month.

'Lad: A Yorkshire Story' is the tale of teenager Tom Proctor, who comes to terms with the death of his father through a friendship he forms with National Park Ranger Al Thorpe.

Following its independent release at the Skipton Plaza, Lad is being toured by Yorkshire company Whitakers Chocolates at screens across all 15 UK National Parks.

The Dartmoor showing takes place at the New Carlton Cinema.

Having already won the main prize at the Anchorage International Film Festival, writer and director Dan Hartley, who cut his teeth as a set editor on the Harry Potter film series, will also be picking up a best feature film prize at Worldfest in Houston, Texas.

The story is based on Mr Hartley's own experiences.

The character Al Thorpe was modelled on the late Al Boughen, who was a Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Ranger in the 1980s.

Mr Hartley, who used to live in Austwick, saw Mr Boughen as his mentor and inspiration for several years.

Mr Hartley said: 'I felt it was essential to give the film an authentic and contemporary voice and so I used people from the community who had never acted before, and used roleplay and workshops to devise the script.

'The result, I think, is a film that is both honest and inspirational.'

The showing takes place at the cinema on May 1 at 7pm.