BUDDING actors from Leigh's Dimples Agency can take a bow.

Thirty one students who attended drama classes have passed London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art exams with flying colours.

They all gained passes between 75 and 100 per cent.

The pupils who attend the Sunday lessons range between four and 55-years-old.

The classes, which started in 1995, have become popular with older unemployed people looking for a career change and in need of extra confidence to start afresh.

The exams are not compulsory, some students attend the weekly classes to be spotted by TV casting directors or to improve their diction and broaden social skills.

Some have already appeared in productions including BBC's The Prince and the Pauper, The League of Gentlemen, Butterfly Collectors, The Ward, Brookside and Coronation Street.

The agency has recently been contacted by Granada who are currently looking for 30 children aged between seven and 15.

With exams over Dimples are now able to open the register and take names for next term.

More information from staff on 01942 262012.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.