The film makers behind Ken Loach's acclaimed movies are recruiting young Scottish actors for a new film to be set in the 1990s rave scene.

Beats, whose script is co-written by Kieran Hurley, the playwright who first wrote the story as a play in 2012, is looking to find young cast members for the forthcoming feature film being made by Sixteen Films.

Directed by Brian Welsh, who has also co-written the script, Beats tells the story of two young men, Johnno and Spanner, who live in a small suburban Scottish town at the time of the 1994 Criminal Justice Act.

The Act effectively outlawed raves, or "public gatherings around amplified music characterised by the emission of a succession of repetitive beats".

The producers say Beats "explores adventure, imagination and the irresistible power of gathered youth."

The film, by the same company that made Ken Loach's films such as Sweet Sixteen and The Angel's Share, are now casting the two main roles, who are best friends.

Kahleen Crawford Casting are looking for "two teenage boys, with or without any acting experience, who could be the next Martin Compston, William Ruane, or Paul Brannigan.

"We are looking for boys from across the central belt - West Lothian, Dundee and Edinburgh - not Glasgow or West Coast - for these characters."

The Johnno character, aged 16, is described as intelligent, witty and a deep thinker while Spanner, also 16, is reckless, smart and hilarious.

In particular the film makers said they are looking for young men from Livingston, Falkrik, Linlithgow, Edinburgh and west Lothian.

Welsh said: "Both Sixteen films and Kathleen Crawford have an honourable history of street casting in Scotland, launching the careers of some of Scotland's finest young actors working today.

"Many of these guys had no idea that they could be screen stars and maybe even took some convincing.

"So if you or someone you know could be the next James McAvoy then get in touch, there's nothing to lose.

"This is a fantastic, potentially life changing, opportunity."

The open casting, for the movie which will be shot in various locations in February, March and April next year in Scotland, is in December.

The film makers also say that no previous acting experience is necessary.

One casting call is being held on December 4 at the Summerhall venue in Edinburgh and another, on December 3, is being held at Bathgate Regal Theatre, both between 11am and 4pm.

Beats was premiered in 2012, at The Arches, and won the Best New Play award from the Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland.

Mr Hurley is a writer, performer and theatre maker based in Glasgow. His other work includes Grit, Rantin, Chalk Farm and Hitch as well as short plays and several collaborations including The Deficit Show and Whatever Gets You Through The Night, stayed at The Arches, in 2012.