AN actor from Colchester has won the starring role in a film endorsed by award-winning actor Sir Ian McKellen.

The challenging role of a teenager with special needs was landed by Scott Chambers, 23, whose talent was spotted by filmmakers.

A preview of the film, Chicken, will be shown at Colchester’s Firstsite venue next month.

Scott, who grew up in Tollgate Drive, Stanway, said: “The film is based on a play I was cast in in 2011 at the Southwark Playhouse, in London, but it was only on for a week.

“It was by a brilliant new playwright Freddie Machin, from the Colchester area. A production company had seen it and were making it into a film and offered me the same role."

Chicken tells of brothers Richard and Polly, who live in a caravan on someone else’s land.

They find their lives turned upside down with the arrival of a new landowner and his family.

The film, in which Scott plays Richard, was originally screened at the Baftas in April.

Lord of the Rings and X-Men star Sir Ian described Scott’s performance as “astonishing, intriguing, enchanting and moving”.

The trailer has been put on YouTube by the film-makers, B Good Picture Company. Scott, who went to Stanway School, discovered his passion for acting at 16, joined Stagecoach performing arts school, Colchester and earned a BTEC national diploma in acting from Colchester Institute.

He said he hoped the role would pave the way for a bright future in the film industry. He said Chicken looked set to be shown at film festivals in the new year and its distribution is under discussion.

Scott will be at the Firstsite preview on November 21 at 7.30pm, along with director Joe Stephenson. The evening will include a question-and-answer session.

For more information, visit www.firstsite.uk.net/page/chicken -advance-preview View the trailer at www. youtube.com/ watch?v=Lt0uAKF6MEI