A FILM set in the North-East and based on a book by a North Yorkshire novelist has scooped a best screenplay award in a public vote.

Electricity, adapted from a novel by Ray Robinson, from Bedale, follows the life of Lily, played by model and actress Agyness Deyn, whose epilepsy causes extraordinary hallucinations as she searches for her brother in London.

Much of the film was filmed in the region, including city scenes in Newcastle and scenic shots at Saltburn.

Now the film has picked up a National Film Award – a new awards ceremony from the organisers of the National TV Awards – and all are voted for by the public.

Director Bryn Higgins said: “We are thrilled to have picked up this award.

“It was voted for by the public and I think that is actually better than being chosen by a panel because no one has a vested interest, they just vote for whichever they liked best.”

Mr Higgins said he chose the North-East for the film’s location because he had filmed in Newcastle before and had a good experience.

He added: “We filmed most of the story in Newcastle and in Saltburn, which was the home town of lead character Lily.

“Electricity is set predominantly in London, but we used Newcastle a lot, for example with the Metro for the underground – it worked brilliantly. The majority of our crew was also from the North-East.

“From the point of view of the story, we put Lily in Saltburn because it’s a stunning location, but also has a real contrast to London, where she has to go to find her brother after their mother dies.”

Lily has a form of temporal lobe epilepsy and she has violent seizures that the audience sees through her eyes.

Mr Higgins said he was pleased to have had positive feedback from audiences who have or know people with epilepsy.

He said: “We did a lot of research with the Epilepsy Society to portray the vivid hallucinations and show the experience through Lily’s eyes.

“It was good to hear from people who found the film to be very affecting, and reassuring because I think sometimes people with the condition can feel isolated.”