Outlaw is about a group of people who take the law into their own hands

Vertigo, responsible for independent hits Human Traffic and The Business, is offering investors a copy of the film and an executive producer credit.

For �10, �50 or �100, film buffs will also get a chance to be an extra in Outlaw and watch casting sessions.

But investors in the �5m film will not take any profit made by the release. Vertigo's website has 1.6m subscribers.

We are confident that fans of Nick's work and British film fans in general will be intrigued and enthusiastic about directly being involved Film producer Alan Niblo

Outlaw's producer, Alan Niblo, said website subscribers sign up to regular updates about the company's films, with three-quarters of them purchasing them on DVD.

They were mainly young and loyal followers of work produced by the company and Nick Love, who is to direct the new film and was responsible for The Business and The Football Factory, Mr Niblo added.

"It seemed a logical step to offer them the DVD in advance. Then the logical progression was to offer other things and open up the movie-making process," he said.

"We are confident that fans of Nick's work and British film fans in general will be intrigued and enthusiastic about directly being involved with Outlaw," he added.

Mr Love said he aimed to appeal to an audience which was not catered for by Hollywood.

He said he had already received letters from cinema buffs wanting to become more involved in the film-making process.

Investors who sign up for the �100 package will be entitled to the most benefits, including a chance to be at the film premiere and attend a special preview.

Cult following

Outlaw follows the story of a group of people who take the law into their own hands in a crime-ridden, socially unjust Britain, meting out punishments to the guilty.

Vertigo's 1999 release Human Traffic, starring John Simm, chronicled the lives of a group of people on the Cardiff club scene and built up a cult following.