A FILM by an award-winning Blackburn director has been shown on Channel 4.

Director Aaron Dunleavy’s three-minute short film Strays is a glimpse into a world where children have taken over a forgotten terraced street, devoid of adults with no rules or boundaries.

The 23-year-old said the film was partly inspired by the book Lord of the Flies, in which a group of school children are abandoned on a desert island.

He said: “I thought it would be interesting to explore what would happen if a similar story took place on the streets of Blackburn, with feral children running wild without rules or boundaries.

“As part of my writing process, I gathered up a few local kids and asked them what they would do in a world without adults.

“The resulting feedback was unsurprisingly dark, and thus the script developed into quite a sinister and unnerving narrative.”

The film has been commissioned by Random Acts, the short form film strand by Channel 4 which showcases bold and innovative short films.

Dunleavy, who hails from Blackburn, has recently completed a degree in film at University of the Arts in London and has directed two highly-acclaimed films, Throw Me To The Dogs, which won 10 awards on the festival circuit and The Truants.

He said: “I’ve always had a passion for telling stories about young people growing up in smaller working class towns.

“I grew up in Blackburn and went on to study at film school in London.

“Moving away made me realise just how different a childhood in the capital city was, compared to that of a smaller, more secluded town.

“The unforgiving and harsh post-industrial landscapes of the north are a perfect backdrop for adventurous children in a town like Blackburn.”

The post-apocalyptic three-minute film was shot in the Griffin area of the town and starred children cast from East Lancashire.

Mr Dunleavy held a casting call for East Lancashire to be part of the film in April, for which 600 parents applied for the children to take part.

He said:“Throughout my previous work, I’ve explored techniques such as street casting and improvisation, in an effort to bring out authentic performances.

“I’ve always aimed for a purely local cast, as I feel it adds a layer of authenticity, not just with the dialect and accents, but also because they’ll have a broader understanding of the landscape and why the story is relevant to them.”

Aaron Dunleavy’s Strays can be seen here but there is a warning over the content.