A BARNSTAPLE man who played the starring role in an independent boxing film already tipped for Oscars has been made an honorary world champion in recognition of his fighting performance.

Stuart Brennan, 27, who was born in Burridge, was awarded the World Boxing Council (WBC) World Champion's Belt at the premiere of Risen, a film in which he plays Welsh boxing icon Howard Winstone.

The film, which Stuart also co-wrote, was shown last week in Cardiff, as part of the three-day WBC Night of Champions event.

Stuart told the Journal he was absolutely "blown away" by the crowd's response.

He said: "It was an incredible experience. I am told it was the biggest film premiere for an independent film that's ever taken place in the UK.

"At the end, the crowd of 2,000 gave us a five-minute standing ovation which just blew us away.

"I was absolutely shocked to be awarded the belt, which the likes of Lennox Lewis has worn. I was choked."

Mr Winstone was a boxer who became world featherweight champion in the 1960s, despite losing three of his fingers when he was 16.

The film of his life probably features more boxing champions than any previous film.

It also stars a host of renowned actors, including Lord of the Rings veteran John Noble, who played Denethor.

Stuart said: "It was the first time I had watched the whole film back and it was very nerve-racking.

"It all really hit home when I was watching myself, a little lad from Devon, up on the screen. There were people around me in tears at some points."

The film has taken about five years to come to fruition.

He said: "It is the end of a chapter of my life. It has taken us such a long period of time to do this. But we always said we wouldn't rush it. We wanted the product to be something we were really proud of."

Stuart, who attended Pilton Community College and North Devon College, started acting in the Gang Shows at the Queen's Theatre.

He later studied drama at university in Winchester before jointly creating UK-based Burn Hand Film Productions.

He now lives in China where he is a partner in another film studio.

Maniac Films in Croyde, which has worked with Stuart on other films, also did the visual effects and most of the production for the film.

Stuart is hoping the film will be recognised at the BAFTAs and said he "couldn't rule out" an Oscar. He has also been mobbed for autographs and photos and inundated with questions about whether he would take up boxing professionally.

The film will also be premiered in Mexico at a venue seating 120,000 people, which Stuart believes will be the biggest premiere ever held.

The film is due for release in November or December.