THE writer of TV crime drama Prey has been asked to script a remake of ‘60s spy show The Saint.

Chris Lunt, who lives in Briercliffe, will fly out to Hollywood on May 12 to start work on the first episode then return home to write over the summer.

He was asked to get involved after meeting with producer Brad Krevoy– before his debut three-part drama Prey, starring John Simm, aired on TV.

The Saint, a series thriller starring Roger Moore as fictional detective and thief Simon Templar, hit the small screen in 1962 and ran for seven years.

The Return of the Saint followed in 1978, with Ian Ogilvy taking on the role of Templar, but ran for one series.

No official names have been released as yet for who will be playing Templar in the remake, which has been commissioned by Motion Picture Corporation of America.

Mr Lunt, a father-of-two, said: “It came via my agent who came across the fact the series was being re-booted. He put me forward for it.

“Initially the producer was hesitant to speak to me because all I had done was Prey – and that hadn’t even been on TV at that time. But I met with him when he visited London and within 15 minutes he said he wanted me to be involved.

“I fly to Hollywood on May 12 and will meet the rest of the team before writing a synopsis of the first episode.

“There is no guarantee it will be taken on but the fact they have commissioned me to fly over and do this is a good sign. I can’t wait to start.”

Prey aired for the first time on ITV on Monday, to rave reviews.

The three-part series, which continues next Monday at 9pm, stars Life On Mars and Mad Dogs star John Simm, who attended Edge End High in Nelson, as hard-working detective sergeant Marcus Farrow, who is on the run after being framed for the murders of his wife and son.

Mr Lunt has said the show’s location is based on his home town of Horwich.