A SCHOOLBOY actor from Bolton who wowed audiences at the Cannes Film Festival last month is about to star in his first feature film.

Oliver Hill will play Billy in a new action adventure film called The Tournament, with filming due to begin in the next two months.

The eight-year-old Bolton School student fell into acting after he signed up to a modelling agency and was asked to star in a short film called Lollipop, which was shown at the Cannes Film Festival.

The six-minute film was a tragic tale seen through the eyes of Olivers character - a boy who witnessed his brother's death from an asthma attack and helps his father overcome his grief.

The cast and crew were so amazed by his performance that they called him a mini Robert De Niro.

Now Oliver is waiting for The Tournaments script to arrive from director Scott Mann, from North-east based Shakabuku Films, which will see the acting protg propelled on to the big screen.

Oliver's father Robin Hill, of Wyresdale Road, Heaton, said: "We are absolutely delighted."