A SECRET location near Kidderminster has provided the backdrop to see a Midland rock band go to war.

Kidderminster-based producer and actor Craig Leonard spent a year building the realistic set for underground metal band Weak 13 to make a World War One-themed five-minute film for their latest single, Wake Down.

The video features an authentic trench, realistic battle scenes and even a plane.

Craig, who made his first on-screen appearance playing a German guard in the 80s TV show ‘Allo ‘Allo, runs film production company Prop Resources Dept in Kidderminster and has worked on several blockbuster movies including the new Captain America film.

He said: “A video like Wake Down has never been done before with that attention to detail, we made it as authentic as possible. It is a showcase for what we can do.

“The more time people look at the video the more they will see references to major events throughout the war.”

Stourbridge-based singer-songwriter Nick Townsend, from the band, said: “Filming was done over several weekends, in the most extreme weathers, over the winter months to maintain the realism.

“Everyone gave their free time to produce an outstanding film to show what could be done on a very limited budget by a group of professional enthusiasts.

“The aim is to enter it in all the major music video and film competitions around the world, to show off their work as film and music makers and to win recognition of their work.”

The video, which would have cost an estimated £400,000 without the volunteer work of actors and crew, recreates a series of battles throughout The Great War using genuine wartime props and uniforms, plus around 40 actors to recreate the horrors of the conflict.

Wake Down was directed by Chris Stone, who has already won a series of awards including Best Director at the LA Film Festival.