FROM Haresfinch to Hollywood, one-time St Helens lad and champion boxer Gary Stretch joins a star-studded cast in Oliver Stone's long-awaited epic saga 'Alexander'.

The former Cowley High School Pupil stars alongside Hollywood heavyweights Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, Val Kilmer and Jared Leto, in the blockbuster based on the true story of one of history's most luminous and influential leaders.

Except for one attempt by Hollywood nearly 40 years ago, no filmmaker has found a way to translate Alexander's life to the screen, until Oscar-winning director/screenwriter Oliver Stone took on the challenge of telling the story.

Alexander (played by Colin Farrell) was a man who had conquered 90% of the known world by the age of 25. He led his virtually invincible Greek, Macedonian, and later Eastern armies through 22,000 miles of sieges and conquests in just eight years, and by the time of his death at the age of 32, had forged an empire unlike any the world had ever seen.

The film takes a bold, honest look at Alexander's life and his relationships with his mother, Olympias (Angelina Jolie), his father Philip (Val Kilmer), his lifelong friend and battle commander Hephaistion (Jared Leto), Roxane, his ambitious and beautiful wife (Rosario Dawson), and his trusted general and confidant Ptolemy (Anthony Hopkins).

Gary Stretch plays the part of Cleitus, a general under Alexander's father Philip- when Philip died, Cleitus became a mentor to Alexander and was an important part of his early life.

In preparation for their roles, all the actors portraying soldiers, including stars Colin Farrell and Jared Leto, underwent extensive training in ancient battle strategies and the use of exact replicas of Macedonian and Greek weaponry.

The film chronicles Alexander's journey to become a legend. 'Fortune favours the bold', and no king or emperor, ever achieved such fortune, or indeed was so bold as Alexander the Great.

We have teamed up with Cineworld St Helens to offer our readers three pairs of free tickets to see 'Alexander'.

To be in with a chance of winning just answer the question below and send your entries with your name, address and telephone number to Alexander competition (Cineworld), St Helens Star, YMCA Buildings, Duke Street, St Helens, WA10 2HZ. Closing date is Wednesday 12 January 2005.

Q: Who does Gary Stretch play in 'Alexander'?