FORMER Devizes schoolboy Jaykay Maslen, who won a part as an extra in Steven Spielberg’s epic First World War epic 1917, had a shock when he was featured in a trailer which was released this week.

Jaykay, 18, who lives with his mum Charlotte in Poulshot, was expecting his scenes to end up on the cutting room floor.

He said: “They shot a scene where the camera passed by me for a few seconds and I thought I might be in the film. But when a friend rang me and said they had seen me in the trailer, I was very surprised to see myself when I thought that I may not have got in to the film at all. Overall it was a great experience.”

His debut as an actor came in April after Storyworks Productions Ltd got planning permission from Wiltshire Council to film scenes on Salisbury Plain near Shrewton despite concern about archaeological sites.

Spielberg worked with James Bond director Sam Mendes on the film which featured Wiltshire people as extras after the production company put out an appeal for men to play the part of soldiers.

Jaykay, who trained as a plasterer at Wiltshire College and now works for a firm in Rowde, said: “My aunty found the advert on facebook and she suggested giving it ago.

“It was interesting to see how a film is put together, and how realistic it all seemed. There were many rehearsals and many takes for the scenes.

“The costumes that we were dressed in were very itchy and uncomfortable. We also had hot weather most day which didn’t help. I was lucky enough to talk to George Mackay who is one if the main actors in the film.”

Mackay played the part of one of two young soldiers tasked with crossing enemy lines to deliver a message that will prevent the deaths of thousands of comrades.

Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Madden, Mark Strong, Colin Firth and Andrew Scott also appear in the film which is expected to be screened in December in American and in January in the UK.

Jaykay’s mum said: “I was very proud when I saw the trailer with him in. I think it was a tremendous experience for him.

“He had never done anything like this before but he is a very outgoing lad with plenty of confidence. We can’t wait to see the actual film.”

Jaykay also has the support of his older brother Brandon, 22, and sister Tilley, 11.