A LOCAL film maker is celebrating as his horror villain wins a prestigious award.

Two years ago the short film horror character, created by Willington director Dean Midas Maynard, The Rag Dolly, never existed.

In the early hours of Monday, August 9, the character picked up the Best Villain award at an American horror festival.

Mr Midas, invented the character after a family holiday in Scotland, back then he could have only dreamed of the character's success.

Mr Maynard said: "This win is for the cast and crew and every single person who has supported and backed us and for Newcastle actress Faye Ormston, who portrays the Rag Dolly so well.

"The past two years have been nothing short of sensational and quite frankly a miracle.

"To think, I nearly never released the first film, The Rag Dolly Returns as I was so nervous after being out of the film game for over 5 years."

Mr Maynard's The Rag Dolly and Eve Valentine franchise has been viewed over 140,000 times.

The final film will be released on Friday, October 22.