A university student has been inspired to make a sci-fi horror film in Ashford after working as an extra in Hollywood blockbusters.

Sammy Harris, 23, of Common Way, Hothfield, found work as a television extra while studying software engineering at the University of Westminister.

On top of securing himself regular appearances on TV drama Holby City, he has featured in major films including Les Miserables, Jack the Giant Slayer, Fast Girls and Rush.

Mr Harris, pictured right, said: “Each time I’m there, I’m more interesting in what’s going on behind the cameras and learning about the film making process.

“I’ve wanted to make my own film pretty much as long as I’ve been involved in extra work. After seeing how it’s done, I wanted to do it myself.”

The former Chaucer Technology pupil has rubbed shoulders with a number of stars including Ewan McGregor and Hugh Jackman, who he met on the set of Les Mis while playing a French soldier.

“I was pulling this cannon along and Hugh Jackman came over and gave me a lottery scratch card,” he said.

“It was quite a surreal. He was just giving them out to anyone he thought was working hard.”

Mr Harris is drawing from his film experiences to create his own short film in Ashford called Derelict, which will be a post-apocalyptic sci-fi horror film.

It will feature a group of starving survivors walking across Hothfield heathland after a devastating alien invasion.

They will later encounter a mysterious man living alone in a house by some woodland who is not all that he seems.

The young filmmaker has already secured the services of two actors, in professionally-trained stuntman Alan Bond and musician Jason Rhodes.

He is looking to cast around a dozen extras from the Ashford area who are free for filming this August.

Mr Harris is searching for suitable filming locations, particularly any cottages or houses in or around woodland in the borough.

He is also looking for film fans to make donations having raised £266 of the £2,000 through the Kickstarter website.

Once completed, he is hoping to enter the short film into the London Independent Film Festival.

For more information go to http://www.derelictmovie.co.uk