A DIRECTOR is hoping to raise the final 3,700 to complete an epic Band of Brothers-style documentary on the untold story of a Second World War hero.

Peter King and his team are ready to film the final scenes of Above and Beyond: The Craftsman, which tells the story of engineer Wally Harris, who almost single-handedly saved 231 Brigade from a surprise heavy artillery attack in Normandy, France, in 1944.

The men were tasked with the mission of providing practical and technical support for weaponry used by Allied soldiers following the D-Day landings as they liberated France.

Based on interviews with Mr Harris, now 90, and other historical sources, the documentary tells how his unit became stuck at Mons-en-Pevelle. Sgt Harris decided to scout through the village to find a way through.

Although a non-combat soldier who had never before fired gun, Sgt Harris, along with friend Corporal Swann, shot down a troop of German soldiers who were about to launch an attack on the Allied soldiers.

The pair then destroyed the artillery gun and captured 15 enemy soldiers as prisoners of war on their way back to rejoin their group.

Mr King, who is originally from Brafferton, is hoping to raise the money to fund filming the final part of the project - the opening scenes.

"We want to shoot some of the D-Day scenes. We already have amazing access to the Mucklebrough Collection, which is a private collection of vintage vehicles from the era, and use of a beach, so we just need production costs.

"We have shot 80 per cent of the film, from which very small excerpts appear in the trailer. We are very happy with what we have so far and know that we have something extremely promising on our hands.

"Wally Harris is now 90-years-old, and this story has been written directly from his first hand account.

"Time is running out and we are desperate for him to see it completed."

There are various incentives for donating, including signed memorabilia, production credits on the film, tickets to the premiere, and even dinner with the films protagonist, Mr Harris.

Mr King, who is 26 and lives in London, said they were hoping the film would become part of a series of either Second World War heroes of different nationalities, or British unsung war heroes.

"Ultimately, the big hope we have for it is it would be picked up by a television station or production company as a pilot and we would get to make or at least be involved with the production of five other films," he said. "That would be amazing."

For more information, or to donate, visit indiegogo.com/Above-Beyond-The-Craftsman