HUNDREDS of children will become film stars in a movie being shot on Canvey.

The London Bus Theatre Company paid 300 youngsters to take part in the spooky movie.

Filming has taken place across the island, including in The Paddocks Centre and on the seafront.

Production is expected to be completed in 18 months, with the premiere due to be screened at the island’s Movie Starr cinema.

The film, which features professional actors, is the sequel to anti-bullying film Angels vs Bullies, which was filmed with 400 children in Basildon.

Kathy Austen, project manager from the theatre company, said: “This is our second feature-length film.

It’s set in a school and this time there are ghosts and even demons. So it is different from the first.

“As schools on Canvey are new, we have done some filming in Laindon, but there will be lots of places people recognise.

“There will be many familiar faces on screen, as we have 300 extras from the island.”

The extras, aged 11-18, are being paid by the company.

Some youngsters have got involved with production behind the camera, helping with hair, make-up and art.

Grants from the lottery, Arts Council and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation worth £320,000 have helped fund the film.

Peter May, chairman of Canvey Island Town Council, is supporting the project. He said: “There are many things happening on Canvey and it is not all negative.

This is a brilliant opportunity for the island and we want to hold the premiere with a red carpet.”

Angels vs Bullies was shot on location at James Hornsby School, in Laindon.

Director Chris Turner chose south Essex for the project following the suicide of 12-year-old Romford schoolboy Nathan Jones in 2005, whose death was blamed on bullies.