It has been seen around the world and been up for awards as far away as Miami but a short film shot entirely in Blackpool is set to make its North West debut next month.

Film maker Robert Kluger's 20-minute short film, French Fries on the Golden Mile shows at Kinofilm, the 10th Manchester Short Films Festival, on March 2.

It tells the story of Thierry, a French gentleman returning to Blackpool to confront an event from his past - but it is also Robert's way of questioning the direction Blackpool is heading in the future.

Despite a shoestring budget - the Film Council initially refused funding - Robert managed to persuade familiar faces like Paul Barber (The Full Monty) and Tracie Bennett (Coronation Street) to take part.

After asking 'about six times' he got the use of the famous Abbey Road Studio to record the film's soundtrack in just 36 hours while choreographer Quinny Sacks, best known for her work in Shakespeare in Love, co-ordinated more than 70 extras for a dance scene in the famous Tower Ballroom - which involved them being covered in candyfloss.

But why did Robert - like the people behind a series of recent TV shows, choose Blackpool's regeneration as the backdrop for his work?

"I actually didn't go to Blackpool until quite late, when I was a teenager living in Salford. I just walked out of the station, crossed the road and it just hit me like nothing I've ever seen before," he said: "There are so many ghosts in Blackpool. It has played such an important role in our cultural history.

"A lot of films and TV programmes are coming out about Blackpool because it is a time of change. The area needs investment but I think the introduction of gambling will not pay back in the long term.

"I just came up to Blackpool and stayed in a B and B for a month and went round asking people what they thought. It really helped me a lot. Many people said things which contrast with what the government says we all want. I don't think a lot of people will benefit from it and I can't believe they are going ahead with it - it's something I feel quite passionately about.

"Blackpool has something so beautiful, something so delicate about it at the same time. It is important that we don't throw something like that away."

While Robert is passionate about the town's future, he assures viewers that the film is not a heavy handed approach to the issues.

And Robert hasn't finished with Blackpool yet. His radio drama, Tickety Boo, is set in a Blackpool bed and breakfast while his next film, 'United Creams' is also set for a Blackpool shoot.

"It's about the politics of the biscuit tin," he added: "So if anyone sees someone wandering around Blackpool carrying a biscuit tin it will probably be me."

Robert is planning to set up a Blackpool screening of the film in the near future.