Citizen columnist Martin Kirby is to make his script writing debut on a new film starring a familiar face from television.

The short film, entitled The ISDEC Code, will be filmed in South Gloucestershire from January 19.

Alongside Derek Fowlds, who played Oscar Blaketon in Heartbeat, the film will also star Russell Boulter, who was a regular in ITV's The Bill as Detective Sergeant Boulton. It will be directed by Stewart Mackay, who has worked on a number of dramas and documentaries.

The film will be a 15-minute production aimed at film festivals across the world. The storyline involves a Government anti-terrorist department, which is on the trail of a new and deadly organisation which has no allegiance to any state, religion or political regime.

Former Mayor of Barton Martin said: "I met Derek and Stewart when they were filming a documentary on Flat Holm in the Bristol Channel and I covered it for The Citizen.

"Chatting to Stewart I discovered he did a lot more than just documentaries, and I explained to him to that I was a frustrated writer.

"He suggested I sent him some stuff, and he was interested in a couple of things but nothing got made. Then, a month ago, he called and said he was going to make something fast-paced, along the lines of Spooks.

"It's about squeezing an hour's worth of storyline into a 15-minute film. I said I'd give it a go, and now it really looks like it is getting made, with production meetings being held.

"I am really chuffed about it."

Stewart Mackay said it was a tight script and would appeal to fans of 24 or Spooks.

"With this being Derek's first role since leaving one of the most popular TV series of all time; and Russell being so well-known for his TV work, we feel very fortunate to have actors of this standing on board," he said.

"We are making a festival film, which is aimed at a specific world-wide market and will be entered in prestigious competitions.

"Everyone involved in the production is well aware of just how important these festivals are within the industry. A combination of high production values and a story that will engage its audience is the key to success."

Gloucester born and bred, Martin, 59, lives in Tuffley with his wife Brenda. A former Mayor of Barton, he has worked on The Citizen for 23 years.