COULD a film do for Bolton private hire drivers what Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights did for club owners?

Gareth Tidman spoke to the director and main character of an award-winning film tipped to be the town's next successful export to the world of sitcom comedy.

AS anyone who has booked a private hire cab in Bolton will know, the drivers love to chat.

From the latest jokes to discussions on the hot issues of the day, they rarely arrive uninformed or without a strong opinion. You may even be treated to an eccentric philosophy or two, and a few improbable titbits of gossip.

Now the verbal ramblings of our front-seat soothsayers could be about to find a wider audience.

An affectionate parody of the town's private hire drivers, "Where To Mate?", could be heading to the small screen after taking two top awards at Manchester's prestigious Exposures film festival.

A number of TV companies are bidding for the right to develop the film's concept into a sitcom after critics tipped it to become the town's most successful comedy export since Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights on Channel 4.

Talks have also taken place for a slot on BBC2 or BBC3, with St Helens comedy star Johnny Vegas said to be interested in a leading role.

Shot in documentary style, "Where To Mate?" beat films from all over the North-west to win the drama section, and take away the prize for the most popular film with audiences at the festival for up-and-coming directors.

The film is the brainchild of student Jason Wingard, who is in the second year of a photography and video course at Bolton Institute.

In a series of sketches, he has captured on celluloid the experience of being trapped in the back of a private hire car listening to the driver's increasingly outlandish tales. Writer and director Jason, aged 32, said: "Peter Kay had fantastic success with Phoenix Nights, but now it is up to others to show there is more to comedy in Bolton.

"When you get into a private hire car you can often be taken on a route you didn't choose, both on the road and in conversation. It is like being in an isolation booth and the driver can say anything he likes."

The film features two drivers bombarding unseen passengers with their thoughts on everything from mermaids to transvestites.

Rizwan, played by Irfan Nazir, is loveable, good-natured and friendly. Unfortunately, he is a compulsive liar whose naivety and innocence allows him to get away with the most convoluted stories.

Rizwan is convinced Osama Bin Laden is hiding in Wales after "his mate" saw him in Blockbuster renting out a copy of Bridget Jones Diary.

"I don't like using land-lines," he tells his anonymous fare, "not since Diana campaigned against them."

Rizwan also has the inside word on TV's Robot Wars: "It is easy to cheat. My mate dressed his nephew in tin foil and sent him in with a spade."

And neither is he afraid to tackle big issues, such as international affairs: "Saddam Hussein didn't have to be a dictator. When he was young he was a really good snooker player."

His colleague, Ben Shaw, is more straightforward. He is the twisted voice of the common man.

Played by Turton's Peter Slater, Ben rages against royal privileges, British decline and the sexual habits of Miss Piggy.

Peter, aged 28, who appeared in both series of Phoenix Nights, hopes his new project will emulate the success of his last TV venture.

He said: "Drivers are always full of information and are usually pretty well-informed. I'm sure when they are not picking people up they sit there digesting things from the paper and radio which they regurgitate to their passengers.

"I have had some wonderfully entertaining journeys in the backs of cabs and hopefully that is what we have captured on screen."