BURY-born film producer Matt Delargy will join top Hollywood stars at next month's BAFTA awards ceremony.

A film by the former St Gabriel's RC High School pupil has been put forward for a British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards.

Sea Monsters, produced by Mr Delargy for his graduation piece at the National Film and Television School in February last year, has been nominated for the Best Short Film category.

The prospect of receiving the accolade is a far cry from when the up-and-coming producer featured in the Bury Times ten years ago for his first film Out of Count, a vampire comedy, which he made with his brother, James.

Mr Delargy, whose family still live in the Bolton Road area of Elton, said: "It is great just to be nominated. I will be attending the ceremony with other members of the crew, and I am trying to get a ticket for my wife, Sarah."

The 16-minute film is based on a family birthday party in which the characters are forced to face shocking home truths.

"It was a difficult film to make both in terms of the story, which is about abuse, and also the practical aspects," said Mr Delargy.

"We filmed for a week on the South Coast, only to be greeted by pouring rain and strong winds. The shoot also involved filming in the sea, which was very complicated, not to mention cold for the actors.

"We were on a tiny budget and had very little time," said Mr Delargy, who is now based in London working for Ecosse Films, the company behind Mrs Brown and Charlotte Grey.

"I was lucky to be working with some brilliant actors and a talented team of students and volunteers. We are all delighted to have been selected for the BAFTAs and for several film festivals. It makes the stress of the production seem a long time ago."

The awards ceremony takes place on February 15.