A MAN who has been involved in the filming of popular BBC Two crime drama Peaky Blinders has credited his North Craven roots for helping him succeed in the film industry.

Peaky Blinders, a gangster family epic based upon the exploits of the Peaky Blinders gang, is set in Birmingham in 1919.

Filming for the fourth season was completed earlier this year and the first episode premiered earlier this month.

"It's my first season on this show," said former Horton-in-Ribblesdale man Michael Gallivan, 36.

As a second assistant director, Michael played an integral role in filming the popular show which stars Cillian Murphy.

He said: "I had a lot of high profile names to look after during the filming of the fourth series.

"It's extremely well done and the calibre of actors is great. The cast is just phenomenal.

"I enjoyed working on it because it's historic and based on truth. The Peaky Blinders were true people."

Michael is hoping to be back for filming of Peaky Blinders' fifth season.

But since filming for the fourth season finished, Michael has been involved in other projects including BBC One's Christmas pantomime, A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong.

Michael grew in Horton-in-Ribblesdale, went to the local primary school there and went on to study Contemporary Arts at Settle College.

"I used to be on stage, but now I'm behind the camera," he said of his transition from acting on stage. "I started off as a runner in The Royal, where some local filming was done in an Ingleton cave. Since then I've catapulted through the ranks."

Michael, who now lives in Leeds, fondly remembers his school days, fellow pupils and his teachers.

"It's just goes to show it doesn't matter where you come from," said Michael. "The people in my year alone have gone on to achieve great things in many different professions. So many people are at the top of their game.

"There were some phenomenal teachers in the arts who opened up all of our expectations and played an important part in our education."