A THEATRE company has nurtured the talent of actors with learning difficulties for 10 years.

Full Body And The Voice is a charitable organisation based at the Lawrence Batley Theatre.

The theatre runs a two year professional acting course for people with learning difficulties called ACTOR@scheme.

Current actors and students have a range of disabilities and learning difficulties including Downs Syndrome, Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

Artistic director Vanessa Brooks said: “Our actors are unique, talented and hard working and act as shining beacons of artistic achievement nationally and internationally.

“They are rehearsing a major tour highlighting all that is good and forward-thinking in Huddersfield and Kirklees with their play Heaven Lives in Holmfirth. Full Body And The Voice work with experienced writers to ensure that their productions are high quality.

The actors perform in full scale productions which tour mainstream theatres across the country.

Some have gone on to appear in films and popular soaps including EastEnders.

Ms Brooks added: “Our actors and students train for nearly two years on the course which has won affiliation to the Academy of the Live and Recorded Arts.

“They follow rigorous drama school training.

“In our Youth Theatre we have over 50 people on a weekly basis.”

For more information visit www.fullbody.org.uk