WEST Cumbrian actor Billy Walker has won a top award at a prestigious Hollywood film festival.

Now the 37-year old hopes to use the award as a springboard to his own television series and has returned home to Seaton to try and raise the money needed to create a pilot.

He said winning the best actor category in the California Independent Film Festival for his portrayal of a former prison inmate was beyond anything he had ever dreamed - which is why he left before the award ceremony even began.

"Director Chris Phillips and I had been at the festival in San Fransisco for a showing of the film but wanted to get back to Los Angeles.

"We were about an hour from home when I got a text from a friend asking: Where are you? You've won the best actor award."

"Chris and I were yelling with delight when we got another text to say he had been named best director for the film, Night Shift.It was unbelievable."

The award has encouraged him to start thinking about a television series based on a character he created on social media which has received thousands of hits.

"I need between $5,000 to $6,000 (around £5,700) to make a pilot to pitch to television companies.

"It will be based on a Kenneth Williams - type character (played by me) who is a failing actor who has come to America because he has heard they are remaking Dynasty. I see is as a cross between Absolutely Fabulous and Little Britain."

Billy Walker has been coming home for Christmas for several years and has raised thousands of pounds for charity in his annual "Christmas Cracker" show.

This year the show is on but the proceeds will be for his new venture.

"I wasn't sure about raising money for myself but my family told me to go for it and people know what they are buying tickets for."

Billy mixes with the A-listers in Hollywood but admits that he meets them mainly through his other job as a barman for a catering company.

"Like so many others, even those who have fairly regular work, I can't yet sustain a living from acting alone. I am one of the waiters, car washers, nannies - all those actors who have to do something else to survive."

This year he has met two of his favourites.

"I was at a function thrown by Cindy Lauper. She has a charity for LGBT homeless kids - children who have probably been kicked out of home because of their sexual orientation.

"We have strict rules about approaching the stars while we are working by Cindy one of my favourites. I asked for her autograph and told her how much I had enjoyed her latest non-commercial album. She quizzed me about it and, as I left, I heard her comment that I must have been one of the 10 people who had bought it!"

Another star with whom he hob-nobbed tis year was another of his favourite, Kathleen Turner.

"I call her a real actress."

Billy has another couple of films on the go but his priority this week is to provide a Christmas cracker for everyone.

Cumbria's Got Talent winner Evie Askew will join him on stage at the Graysons in Seaton (formerly the British Legion).

the show runs on Friday and Saturday December 21 and 22.

This is a real family affair. Tickets can be bought from Billy's Grandma on 0190062498 or from his sister Yasmin at Amani Hair and Beauty in Workington.

To donate to Billy's cause visit www.gofundme.com/billywalkertv