GREENOCK actor Martin Compston has landed another starring role - in a BBC drama about The Great Train Robbery.

A Robber's Tale is based on the true story about the infamous gang who carried out a raid on a mail train from Glasgow in August 1963.

Former Morton player Compston, currently portraying Glasgow gangster Paul Ferris in The Wee Man, will play budding racing driver Roy James, who was brought in as the robbery getaway driver.

The show is being made by World Productions for BBC One.

It will be made up of two 90-minute episodes, with the first from the perspective of one of the key men behind the plot, Bruce Reynolds.

The second instalment is called A Copper's Tale and tells the famous story from the viewpoint of the police trying to bring the robbers to justice.

Filming is scheduled to begin this month.

Sweet Sixteen star Compston has previously played roles in high-profile BBC shows Line of Duty and Monarch of the Glen.