A LEYLAND martial arts expert has flown to Hong Kong to appear in a film alongside international superstar Jackie Chan.

Mark Strange, 29, was offered a part in the film at the weekend, and 24 hours later flew out to China.

He will be working with some of his heroes on the set of Twins Effect, being filmed in exotic Thailand as well as China, with award-winning director Dante Lam and top actor and choreographer Donnie Yen, who appeared in Blade 2.

Mark, of Dunkirk Lane, is an expert in seven martial arts and passes on his skills by running classes in the area. But he had to rush off to China so quickly he didn't have time to let his students know!

He said: "I'm playing a vampire in the film which is a horror martial arts comedy! There's lots of martial arts and comedy is quite common in these films."

Mark was spotted after a visit to the Cannes film festival earlier this year, where he was promoting a low-budget, independent film he is working on with a group of friends, called Displaced.

Hong Kong based producer, Bey Logan, was impressed with his skills in the short film -- made around Lancashire in sites including the recently demolished Leyland and Birmingham Rubber Works -- and helped find a part for him in the new film.

Mark's friend and director, Wigan-based Martin Holland, said the film should end up as an 'Oriental Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. Martin, 32, said: "It has been on the cards for a while. We've been working together for a couple of years now.

"It's been a slow build up, but now he's got the big break and I'm very pleased for him!"

Mark should be in Hong Kong for a minimum of four weeks and will then be back holding classes at Walmer Bridge Village Hall, near Preston, on Thursday nights from 6pm.