FILM director Danny Boyle's enthusiasm for his work knows no bounds. To many the thought of trying to empty London's main streets of all traffic and pedestrians would seem impossible -- but the renowned director -- who hails from Radcliffe -- was undeterred.

Scenes of deserted famous London landmarks were needed for his latest film, 28 Days Later, and although he was not allowed to close any streets completely from the public, he came up with a crafty alternative.

"We went into London six mornings at dawn and set up the filming at various landmarks -- Westminster Bridge, Tottenham Court Road, the Bank of England to name a few. We then attempted to hold back the traffic.

"It was a nightmare."

He added: "You cannot close streets in London. You have to ask people if they would not walk or drive through for a few minutes.

"So, what we did was get loads of pretty women to wear orange jackets and approach the motorists. It worked -- without them, I am sure lots of blokes would have been up in arms."

The director, who was a pupil at Thornleigh in Bolton, before working briefly as an usher at the Bolton Octagon, happily admits to being "an obsessive" about his work.

He was speaking as part of a promotional tour for his new film, which stars Christopher Eccleston -- also a local lad made good, from Little Hulton.

Boyle's last movie, The Beach, starred Leonardo DiCaprio and involved a tough shoot in Thailand.

28 Days Later marked a welcome return "home".

He explained: "After doing The Beach, this was certainly a change to come back home to this country. I spent six months in Thailand but because of the scale of the film, I never really got to know many of the people on it. It was a more impersonal experience.

"This latest film had quite a family atmosphere about it throughout. I find I work better under those conditions."

But do not be fooled, 28 Days Later is not a cosy family film.

Boyle said: "This film is about a viral apocalypse. People may think, 'we've seen it all before', but the difference with this is that it is about a psychological virus.

"It is not biological or clinical, but psychological. I felt it was a fantastic image to bring to life.

"We hear so much today about the psychological torture people go through -- the threat of war, the sniper in Washington -- people are being driven insane.

"The idea that we could distil this terror and place it inside people in the form of a madness that kills them, seemed very exciting. The result is shocking, frightening, horrific, with lots of terrifying moments.

"The film also has something to say about the way we live now. The first scene is in a deserted London -- initially something we may think we would all dream of. But what would happen if we did get our way and all the people disappeared out of the city? At first it would be fantastic, but then it would become terrifying.

"This is a dark film, but not, as some may think, a horror or zombie film. The difference is that in those films you really do not care about the characters, but in this I want audiences to really care if a character is in pain or dies."

Boyle's reputation now means he attracts all the biggest stars.

Ewan McGregor was reportedly furious to have missed out on the DiCaprio role in The Beach, and in addition to the British all-star cast in Trainspotting and Shallow Grave, which also starred Eccleston, Boyle has also directed Hollywood's Cameron Diaz in A Life Less Ordinary.

He says: "Actors read the script, but then there is a lot of trust involved in making a film. They do not get to see the full picture and do not really know the way in which it is all going to be put together. So you have to develop a mutual trust. That is why it is so good to work with someone like Chris Eccleston. When I offered him this we already knew a lot about each other, because there was a relationship there already."

Boyle remains in touch with his home area.

His father, Frank, still lives in Radcliffe, and the pair continue to watch Bury football team at Gigg Lane on a regular basis. So how has the director, who names his former Bolton English teacher, Mr Unsworth, as one of his main inspirations, made the journey from Thornleigh student to top film director?

"I worked really hard. I always say it is all about 95 per cent perspiration, five per cent inspiration.

"I joined a theatre company, sweeping floors, and driving people around. And from there I worked my way up. People who go into the business for the glamour fall by the wayside because it is so difficult. You must be a true obsessive. You also need a lot of luck. I met the right kind of people along the way."

But has he ever harboured any ambition to act in front of the cameras?

"When I was at school in Bolton I used to be in plays. I used to love acting. But as a director I love feeling that I get to shape the whole piece.

"For a film, you get to develop the script, then go through the pre-production, working through problems like having to work around being able to shoot deserted streets in London. You then get to edit the film, put music to it, and go through the promotion. It is a fantastic feeling of belonging to something.

"That is why I can not differentiate between my films. It is like having kids. Each one takes so long to make that I feel a great affection for them all afterwards."

But fans need not worry about Boyle's success taking him off to Hollywood just yet.

He said: "I do love watching the big films, so if I wanted to make them I would have to go to Hollywood, or at least use their money. But I think I am better at making films in Britain. I feel so confident here about the way in which things work."

Boyle already has plans for his next film underway: "I am hoping it will be set in Manchester or Liverpool. I am hopeful that the film will happen, but we are at the stage now of looking for funding. It is a kids' film, but also a bit of a thriller, about a young lad who finds a huge bag of money."

Although films are Boyle's first love, he is currently also working on developing a play for the National Theatre. He said: "I have worked with the Royal Court Theatre in the past. But I do find it hard working on a play. You put in all the work but as soon as the actors begin they push you away because it is their relationship with the audience which counts."

28 Days Later is due for general release on Friday.