Colin Hill, who worked for the Metropolitan Police for 30 years but who lives in Northamptonshire, has joined forces with Northampton-based Fanatic Group film production company to make a short film, An Undertaking, a black comedy about funeral directors.

And in keeping with the police connection, it stars The Bill actor Eric Richard, best known as desk sergeant Bob Cryer.

Mr Hill, aged 55, was a bodyguard for Princess Diana and Princes William and Harry during 1989 and 1990. He retired from the force in 2007 but said writing had always been in his blood.

He said: "I was lazy at school but I took my English O-level a year early and passed it with flying colours, and I have always loved writing.

"When I retired it was my wife who said I should start writing again and I remembered how much I had enjoyed it. We're really pleased with the first short film and are already working on the second one. It was great to get Eric involved."

Mr Richard, who is currently rehearsing in London's West End, told the Chron he wanted to pass on his experience by taking a chance on the newcomers.

He added: "They had really done their homework and that justified my faith in the project. I haven't actually seen it yet but we had great fun working on it.

"I don't think Colin and David (of Fanatic Group] have got a great deal to learn because they went about the whole thing with such professionalism."

David Easton, director of Fanatic Group, said: "It was a great coming-together because he had always wanted to write, and I had always wanted to direct."

An Undertaking will be shown for the first time in front of cast and crew at a special screening in Rushden, where it was filmed, tomorrow.