AN East Lancashire writer is having his work turned into a Hollywood movie.

Burnley-born Paul Abbott, 47, who is best known for his TV work, including acclaimed Channel 4 show Shameless, is turning his Bafta award-winning drama State of Play into a film.

Brad Pitt will star as journalist Cal McCaffery, who was played by Nelson-born actor John Simm in the TV version.

And Ed Norton will be reunited with his Fight Club co-star Pitt.

He will play a congressman whose mistress is found dead. The film's screenplay is being written by Tony Gilroy, who wrote the blockbuster Bourne Identity films, and it is being made by Universal and Working Title.

Paul, who was born in Coal Clough Lane in the town, is the ninth of 10 children and his mother left home when he was nine, followed by his father two years later. He used his childhood to shape much of his writing.

He honed his writing skills at the Burnley Writers' Circle, before going at Manchester University to study psychology.

Kathleen Bulcock, chairman of Burnley Writers' circle said: "This is fantastic news for Paul, having celebrities like Brad Pitt in the film will really make his name in Hollywood.

"I think he will be able to go on from this and do anything, the TV series was fantastic, and I think the film will be really successful.

"We have a great sense of pride knowing that he has done so well."

State of Play is about a team of journalists investigating the mysterious death of a political researcher.

The original series ran for six episodes on BBC 1.

The original won a best actor Bafta for Bill Nighy, who played newspaper editor Cameron Foster, and further editing and sound honours.

Paul's other TV successes include Clocking Off.