It takes a special imagination to make a film about a car without any cars in it.

But film student Ben Gutteridge took on this daunting artistic challenge and came up with an idea so inspirational, he found himself on a level pegging with Hollywood stars Minnie Driver and Billy Zane.

Ben, from Wadhurst near Crowborough, beat competition from some of the UK's top film students to win £750 in a national competition for Volkswagen.

Entrants from six film schools were asked to produce a short piece focusing on the off-road ability of the firm's new 4x4 - without using the vehicle.

Ben, a final year BA (Hons) student at Bournemouth University, came up with a film featuring two characters, Mike (the driver) and Billy (the car).

He filmed footage following Billy as he piggybacks Mike across various terrain, including a forest, hills and streams - even queuing along with other cars and paying to enter a car park.

The film finishes with Billy "reversing" into a parking space and Mike dismounting and clicking the button on his keys to "lock" Billy, as the strapline appears "...Unfortunately they haven't heard of the new VW Touareg".

Ben's win has given him the chance to showcase his film alongside some of the film industry's leading talents.

Throughout this month, it has been part of Volkswagen's window display at Selfridges in London's Oxford Street, showing next to films by Good Will Hunting actress Minnie Driver and Titanic star Billy Zane.

Ben said: "It's hard for me to believe my film is now being watched by so many people at the same time as films from the likes of these superstars."