IT'S a long way from Hollywood, but a group of film-makers are hoping Blackburn could be the scene of the next smash hit.

"Diary of a Bad Lad" is a film about the making of a film -- and the dire consequences for the unlucky film-makers.

And writer Jon Williams, a former Blackburn College film lecturer, is hoping it will be just as successful as the American film based on the same idea, the multi-million dollar hit "Blair Witch Project".

Jon, who gave up work due to the fatigue sickness ME four years ago, wrote the script during his illness and is now producing and starring in the film with the help of an unpaid cast of local talent.

He plays his own alter-ego, Barry Lick, a film lecturer who has been suspended amid allegations of misconduct.

With time on his hands, Barry decides to use his former students, now unemployed and desperate for work, to help him make a documentary about real-life gangsters. They begin trailing a successful local businessman with a very shady past, but soon find themselves in over their heads in Blackburn's murky underworld.

Jon is using cheap digital video technology, like that used to make Blair Witch Project, and is expecting the full-length, documentary-style film will cost less than £10,000 to make -- and most of that will go on special effects.

He said: "The biggest cost is going to be buying an old range rover and blowing it up.

"Alastair Vardy, who did the special effects for Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, saw our website about the film and has offered to do the special effects for us.

"No-one's getting paid at the moment but if it's a success they will all get a share of the profits."

Blackburn corporate film maker Michael Booth, one of Jon's former students, is directing the film, and will also appear on screen as Barry Lick's director. Michael, 24, said: "I really want to make feature films and this will be my first. Because it's a documentary style, it's very interesting to make with long takes."

The gangster is to be played by Tom Miller, a part-time actor who also runs a textile stall on Blackburn market, under his other name Martin Simmons.

His sidekick will be played by Bolton actor Joe O'Byrne, who has already appeared in Channel Four's Queer As Folk, while Manchester actress Donna Henry, who is also appearing alongside Steve Coogan in his new film The Parole Officer, plays a porn film actress.

Some scenes have already been shot in Jon's Shear Brow home, Blackburn, and in the home and offices of local businessman John Sturgess, of M&G Plastics, Darwen.

The team are also planning scenes in Baggy's Wine Bar, Great Harwood, and a Blackburn nightclub.

Jon said: "If it makes a tenth of the money Blair Witch did, we'll be happy. We hope a year from now everyone in Blackburn will be wearing Diary of a Bad Lad T-shirts."

The crew is still seeking extras and all kinds of help and sponsorship.

Anyone interested can contact them on their e-mail crew@pleasedsheep.co.uk, or visit their website www.pleasedsheep.co.uk.