A QUARRY in Rossendale is to be the film location for a battlefield drama about the brutality of war.

Accrington and Rossendale College media students James Emmett, 20, and Martin Peacock, 40, will begin shooting 'King and Country' on Monday at Hutchbank Quarry, Haslingden.

James, producer director, and Martin, writer director, have secured cast, crew, equipment, props and costumes and location for their first film without a penny to spend.

TV extra Ward Croasdale, from Higherford, in Pendle, will play young soldier Percy, who is wounded by shrapnel and rescued from a shellhole by stretcher bearers.

The Grane Road quarry has been made available by Aggregate Industries (UK) Ltd, and the costumes and props, including uniforms, gas masks, and stretchers are being loaned by Granada TV.

James said: "The quarry is the only location nearby that can imitate the conditions on the Flanders Fields.

"When you are in there, there is no other sight or sound of urban life whatever. It looks very much like a battlefield."

The drama looks at the two hours either side of the First World War Armistice through the eyes of an old soldier as he recalls the bombardments, machine gunning and shelling, followed by the eerie silence as 11am struck. The Accrington Pals Association have helped with research for the 15-minute film, which will be professionally edited and marketed to independent distributors for exposure.

The British Red Cross have also asked to see a copy with a possibility of using the film to illustrate their work during the conflict.

Martin, of Westwood Street, Accrington, and James, of Sunnybank Street, Haslingden, are both BTEC second year students, studying media production at the Rawtenstall centre of the college.

Actor Ward Croasdale has worked as an extra on Brookside, and The Grand, as well as appearing in Emmerdale, and in cameo roles on Hollyoaks.

The two stretcher bearers will be played by Gary Wilson and Glen Hawthorne, from Burnley Amateur Dramatic Society.

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