AN Arts University Bournemouth tutor worked as the screenwriter on a film released in cinemas about a homeless man and his feline friend.

Tim John from Parkstone, who teaches an introduction to creative writing short course at the AUB, said that he was selected to turn the best-selling book, A Street Cat Named Bob, by the British movie’s producer around two years ago.

The original story was written by busker and recovering addict, James Bowen, and the pet cat, Bob, he adopted, who he credits with helping him to turn his life around.

A Street Cat Named Bob premiered in London on Thursday, which Tim was invited to attend, as well as Prince William and Kate, and the film is now available to see in cinemas across the UK.

Tim said: “I had the interview along with several others and did what I thought was a good take, which is mainly based on the first book and a bit of the second.

“The story is incredibly popular around the world. It is particularly amazing because it is all true. I think that if it wasn’t true, people wouldn’t believe it.

“It was certainly a film that I was proud to be involved with.”

Asked how the film may help to breakdown the public’s perception of the homeless community in Bournemouth and Poole, Tim said: “It’s certainly made me think a lot more about people selling The Big Issue. I didn’t realise they had to buy them. It’s a proper little business.

“I really do hope that it has a positive effect. I think it’s a good film for a family audience and I don’t think that it shies away from the issues that James had.”

Tim has previously written a book about his life entitled, Adventure in LA-LA Land, which describes his time living in Los Angeles for around seven years, before moving back to Poole.

He said that his next projects include another film with Adam Rolston, the same producer as A Street Cat Named Bob.

Tim is also working on a project based on the Blake and Mortimer series of graphic novels, which first appeared in the comic magazine, Tintin, in the 1940s.