A DESIGNER from Derby said he was proud of creating the opening credits for a film by Uttoxeter-born director Shane Meadows.

Bill Edwards had just under two months to produce the animated sequence for Meadows' latest film, called Le Donk and Scor-Zay-Zee.

Bill entered a short animation in a competition on Meadows' website.

And the 38-year-old, of Upper Bainbrigge Street, Normanton, was surprised when he received a phone call from the director himself.

Mr Edwards said: "Shane was judging the competition and the idea was that six of the entries would appear as extras on the DVD of the film.

"But then, a few days later, he called me to say he really liked my animation and wanted me to produce another for the opening sequence.

"I was completely shocked, because I've really admired Shane, so to be working with him and associated with him is something that will stick with me for life."

Images courtesy of Warp Films

Comedy film Le Donk and Scor-Zay-Zee follows failed musician Le Donk, played by Burton actor Paddy Considine.

The story shows how Le Donk tries to turn Nottingham rapper Scor-Zay-Zee, playing himself, into a star.

Mr Edwards' sequence, which lasts 90 seconds, features caricatures of the characters.

The film was shown for the first time last week at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, which Mr Edwards was invited to attend.

He said: "I thought the festival was absolutely fantastic and a completely amazing experience.

"Shane introduced me to so many different people and actually called me up on stage to explain who I was. Then, when the animation part of the film was shown, everybody gave a round of applause, which was such a confidence boost."

Originally from Plymouth, Mr Edwards moved to Derby in the early 1990s to study graphic design at the University of Derby, but dropped out.

After taking on various jobs, including a five-year spell at Rolls-Royce, he joined the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health in Wigston in 2002.

Mr Edwards, now a senior designer, said: "I first entered an animation in a competition last year, when I sent one to a BBC Radio Six programme and was runner-up.

"That, along with my success now, has given me loads of confidence to continue thinking up new ideas, so who knows what the future will hold?"

Le Donk and Scor-Zay-Zee was shot in Nottingham and Manchester over five days.