A NEW documentary from a Horwich director is set to feature on the BBC tonight.

The programme looks at the daring mission taken by a team of British mercenaries to assassinate Pablo Escobar, the notorious Colombian drug lord.

The doc had featured at Glascow Film Festival, Home Cinema in Manchester, and BBC Scotland earlier this year.

Called Killing Escobar, the film tells the true story of Scottish mercenary and ex-SAS operative Peter McAleese, who was hired by a rival Colombian drug cartel to lead a small team of ex-special forces commandos on a mission to assassinate the world’s biggest drug baron.

The Bolton News: David Whitney, from Horwich, in Columbia directing Killing Escobar for the BBCDavid Whitney, from Horwich, in Columbia directing Killing Escobar for the BBC

The film uses video and pictures taken by the team of 12 mercenaries on the mission, with dramatic reconstruction of the helicopter assault on Escobar’s hacienda in 1989, with interviews of many involved.

The film has been directed by Horwich-born Bolton Wanderers fan David Whitney, who said this was one of his favourite projects he has ever worked on.

David travelled across three different continents and talking to many involved on both sides, including the British mercenaries and people such as Jorge Salcedo, a member of the Cali cartel, which was a rival of Escobar’s.

The Bolton News: A scene from 'Killing Escobar', directed by Horwich born David WhitneyA scene from 'Killing Escobar', directed by Horwich born David Whitney

Salcedo inspired the hit Netflix series Narcos.

David said: “It was a hugely interesting and fascinating experience. Travelling around the world to shoot something like this and learn all about it and talk to the people I did was great.

“It was definitely a challenging and exciting experience but a hugely fulfilling job.

The Bolton News: David Whitney, from Horwich, in Columbia directing Killing Escobar for the BBCDavid Whitney, from Horwich, in Columbia directing Killing Escobar for the BBC

“You did have to have a lot of security in some places with the people we were talking to but it was just an amazing experience.

“It was probably the most enjoyable shoot of my career. For the dramatic reconstructions we had weapons, helicopters and explosions, the crew was massive and they were great to work with."

Killing Escobar will air at 9pm on BBC2 tonight.

Watch the trailer here