Actor Billie Piper is set to star in a new supernatural horror filmed on the "outskirts of an old iron town" in Wales.

Located "somewhere on the perimeter" of Merthyr Tydfil or Aberdare, Sketchbook will feature Piper, alongside child actor Woody Norman, as a mother and son who are reunited after years apart in foster care.

It will be directed by Swansea-born filmmaker Jamie Jones, who hopes the film will tap into "important and real issues" while still providing the thrill of a horror.

"I think a lot of people will relate to the issues, of growing up and social exclusion, going on beneath it all - but on the surface it's a really exciting horror film," he said.

Jones, who received a BAFTA Cymru breakthrough award for his work on his feature debut Obey, said he wanted the film to be dark, fun, tense and exciting, but also have substance.

"There needs to be something meaty you can chew on and there is that with this, in abundance."

"Because his mother wasn't coping, she needed a bit of support and a bit or a break from him," said Jones.

"The sense of rejection he feels is then when the horror genre then starts to seep into the narrative.

"This horror then starts to unfold is kind of like a metaphor for families that are in impossible situations."

Jones said he drew upon "real social experiences to drive the narrative", including his own experiences with mental health, neurodiversity and systematic care.

A sketchbook acts as a form of physical expression and a "safe place" for the son as he sketches out his emotions.

"He draws ultimately as a way of expressing himself and to feel like he has some form of control," said Jones.

"The way that the narrative unfolds, the two things crash together, so to speak. Which I think is a really fun journey for viewers to go on... it's a roller coaster ride."

It will be the latest film for Piper, who is known for roles in BBC's Doctor Who, Secret Diary of a Call Girl and the Netflix series Collateral.

Jones said Piper's performance in the psychological drama Two for Joy inspired his decision for her to star as the mother.

"I've always loved Billie Piper and I think she's had a fabulous life and career," he added.

"She is the salt of the Earth, you know, she's very warm, she's very loyal, she's got all of these great qualities, but she's struggling.

"When the odds are stacked against you, it's tough, you know. You've just got to try your best, and that's what her character does.

"It just felt like the perfect role for Billie."

Lots of details are yet to be ironed out, but filming is set to start in February.

Despite being set in Wales, Jones is undecided if Piper and Norman will have to adopt a Welsh accent, as the characters nationality does not play a huge role in the film.

"It's not necessarily about being Welsh, or about Wales, per say, but I want to set it in Wales because that's where I'm from.

"I would like to do that as much as possible, if you're from somewhere, I think it's good to set things in a place you know and you know the texture, the nuances and the humour.

"Which helps make it all entertaining. I wanted to get the visual language of the old iron towns in there... but I'm not going to locate it specifically."

He said he sees a lot of the themes, including class divides, to be universally understood and the setting will help him give the film a grit he understands.

"The setting is important, and where they are, and the world and community is important," said Jones.

"But what's important is that they are working class or struggling. The more you talk about universal themes, the bigger your audience can be, and you can bring your audience in to a story that is also set in Wales.

"The Welsh thing can sneak under the hood. "I think that's only a good thing for Wales."