An actress who grew up in Virginia Water has won the best actress award at the Wexford Film Festival in Ireland.

It was the first screening of the feature length thriller By Any Means, in which Brooke Burfitt plays the lead role of Mimi Wyatt – a C-list reality show star.

Brooke spent most of her childhood in the village dreaming about acting on the big screen.

She said: "My family moved to Surrey from France when I was seven and I enrolled in Christchurch School. I was put in Mrs Radburn-Smith's class, who got me to come out of my shell by singing and dancing. She planted the seed and as soon as I graduated from university, I followed my dream and never looked back."

Brooke, 28, who now lives in Bermuda has been cast in seven British features, including the supporting lead in zombie film 'Plan Z' which is now available in Asda stores nationwide.

Her most recent role as Mimi Wyatt took her to New York last Autumn.

The story goes that Mimi gets kidnapped after a night-club appearance. Her kidnapper, Frank Watson (Thomas Gipson), holds her hostage for a ransom of $123,000. He is a desperate man in need of cash to save his terminally ill daughter. Mimi must work out how to raise the money but will the police believe her version of events?

The film also stars US reality show stars Jonathan Cheban (Keeping Up with The Kardashians) and Michelle Money (The Bachelorette).

By Any Means also won the award as best film. Director Leighton Spence collecting both awards at the ceremony.

For more information about the film, check out their website www.byanymeans2016.com or follow the films updates on Twitter @byanymeansmovie.