A Schizophrenic man who had a traumatic and troublesome start to life says he wants to inspire people with mental illness.

Paul Warwick, 51, is fundraising for his latest short film, Lost and Found, starring his 11-year-old daughter.

He has lived in Beckenham for 13 years but spent most of his youth locked up for various offences including aggravated burglary and GBH.

Paul described himself as a rebellious youngster and admitted to assaulting prison officers during his spells in various London cells. His skinny teenage self was also quick to retaliate when bigger inmates tried to bother him.

But it was in a prison library where Paul began to find his passion.

"I found books in there about screenwriters and film," he told News Shopper.

"That’s when I started writing and had my initial interest in filming."

Paul is now an author of 18 books and makes short films and documentaries.

Finding Christianity in prison also changed his life, and eventually led to him meeting his wife at Christ Central Church in Penge.

However, after his release from prison, Paul had a schizophrenic breakdown.

He says it was a combination of the trauma he suffered in prison and the hard drugs he had been taking.

Paul says he lost his youth, but that God has restored those years to him now, with the love of a wife, two daughters and two stepchildren.

Schizophrenia still affects him, and he suffers from anxiety, fear, paranoia and his anti-psychotic medication leaves him often drained mentally and physically.

However, he has seen vast improvement in the past few years.

"I am getting my vitality back," he said. "I still sometimes get anxious, but I feel more comfortable and confident and free."

He added: "I am quite proud of myself in a positive way.

"I am hoping that I can help break down stereotypes around schizophrenia and inspire others with mental illness or disabilities that if you try, you can achieve things."

His new short film, starring his daughter who wants to be an actor, is about a young girl’s birthday going wrong.

Most of his previous work has been dark, but Lost and Found is more light-hearted.

Despite the initial problems with the birthday, Paul said the power of God through the love of family is the turning point.

He said becoming a father was one of the best things to happen to him and to work on a film with his daughter was a joy.

Paul, who is a member of Spring Park Film Makers in West Wickham, is hoping to raise £1,500 to fund the short film.