An eight-year-old boy with a heart defect and sight problems is starring in a new film which has been nominated for a BAFTA award.

Jonathan Mason of Odsal was born with his arteries the wrong way round and underwent a ten-hour heart by-pass operation when he was just ten-days-old.

Despite his health problems Jonathan landed the starring role in a film called Nits, but during filming last October his family noticed problems with his sight.

"He's a good reader but was having trouble reading scripts," said Clare. "He ended up memorising his lines, it was amazing. The director read them out to him and he just remembered them."

Jonathan auditioned with his brother, Thomas, 10. The brothers attend Idle theatre school Stage 84 in Idle and principal Valerie Jackson urged Clare to take Jonathan along too, for experience.

"We didn't mention Jonathan's health problems as we wanted him to have an equal chance, without people feeling sorry for him," said Clare. "He got the part on his own merit, he was so excited."

The BAFTA winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on February 19. Nominated stars like Renee Zellweger, Jude Law and Johnny Depp are expected to attend the British equivalent of the Oscars

"We don't know yet if we'll be going, but as Jonathan stars in it we hope so," said Clare.

"He loved making the film. At the end they gave him a clapperboard signed by cast and crew."

In the short film, called Nits, Jonathan plays a boy called James whose mother (Holby City actress Nicola Stephenson) has lost a baby. Funded by regional screen agency Screen Yorkshire through the Film Council, it was filmed in Chapel Allerton, Leeds.

"It's about the relationship between James and his mother who's dealing with her grief," said Jacky Dickins of Screen Yorkshire. "It's about the way people grieve and how confusing this can be. James has nits but can get rid of them, his mother has to live with her loss, which doesn't go away. The director thought Jonathan was a natural with great presence."

Nits is the directorial debut from Leeds-born Harry Wootliff. The cinematographer was Brian Tufano, who worked on hit British films Trainspotting, East is East and Billy Elliot.

The film will be shown during Bradford Film Festival this spring.

Jonathan was taken to opticians and had eye tests at Bradford Royal Infirmary. He was due at hospital today for a diagnosis.

"Doctors believe it could be optic atrophy, a dysfunction of the optic nerve, which can be hereditary," said Clare. "The condition left me with severe sight problems when I was younger and I'm still unable to drive.

She said Jonathan's school, St Winefrede's in Wibsey, has provided specialist help. He has large-print books and is being taught to touch-type.

Jonathan will have to go for regular check-ups for his heart condition for the rest of his life.

Clare said Stage 84 has also been a great support.

Stage 84 pupil Jack Shepherd, 16, who plays David Platt in Coronation Street, donated his £800 fee from switching on Christmas lights to pay for a recent theatre trip to London for Jonathan and his family.

And proceeds from the Christmas Spectacular show went towards the charity Heartline, based at Great Ormond Street Hospital, which helped Jonathan and his family. "We're so proud of him," said principal Valerie Jackson. "He's a lovely little boy with a lot of determination."