HE'S come a long way since leaving school in St Annes, but Fylde thespian Stephen Tompkinson can now really blow his own trumpet.

Stephen, who at 18 discovered he had won a place at a top London drama school, has landed his first leading role in a major feature film.

The former pupil of St Bede's RC High School has been in the limelight for a number of years, starring in shows such as Drop the Dead Donkey and Ballykissangel but his latest venture, the movie Brassed Off, looks set to top them all.

Stephen features alongside Tara Fitzgerald and Ewan McGregor in the film, which tells the story of a Yorkshire community struggling to survive when its major industry - coal mining - is closed down.

The plot is centred around the colliery brass band and so Stephen had to get to grips with the subject by watching the famous Grimethorpe band at work.

He said: "I was aware of brass bands, sure, but that was about it.

"I had no idea of the part they played in the life of the community and when I heard the band play for the first time, I can honestly confess that the hairs stood up on the back of my neck.

"I think this film will open up a lot of eyes and ears."

But the film is also a great opportunity for Stephen's career.

He said: "It's my first real feature film and I hope that it will open a few more doors for me.

"It genuinely is one of the best scripts I've worked on - really powerful."

Brassed Off can be seen at local cinemas, including Blackpool's Odeon, from November 1.

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