A FILM starring a Sussex legend playing another giant from the county has won a top film prize – putting it among the early favourites for an Oscar.

Second World War codebreaker drama The Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch has won top prize at the Toronto International Film Festival.

In the film, the Brambletyre School-educated Cumberbatch plays maths genius and former St Leonards school pupil Alan Turing.

Three of the past six People’s Choice Award winners have gone on to win the Oscar for best picture, including The King's Speech, Slumdog Millionaire and last year's victor, 12 Years a Slave.