PRESTWICH lawyer and amateur dramatic buff Heather Fletcher will appear this month in the second series of the BBC 1 legal drama New Street Law.

The drama chronicles the lives of two rival barristers' chambers in the heart of Manchester.

A delighted Miss Fletcher told the Guide: "I've enjoyed rehearsals as I was already a fan because of my career in the law. It is marvellous to mix my profession as a lawyer with my main hobby, acting."

Miss Fletcher worked as a divorce lawyer for ten years and is now a law costs draftsman. She first became interested in drama as a student of the legendary Mrs Evelyn Brunner.

She has appeared as the Buddha and one of the king's wives in The King and I for the Jewish Theatre Group and is a regular for the Prestwich Amateur Dramatic and Opera Society (PADOS).

When she was told she was needed to act as a solicitor she exclaimed: "I am a solicitor in real life!" And she has been able to use her experience in court to advise other cast members.

Heather has enjoyed hobnobbing with the stars at Web Studios in Little Hulton where the show was filmed.

The two leading barristers are played by John Hannah of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Sliding Doors' fame and John Thomson of Cold Feet.

"Said Heather: "John Thomson started his career as a stand-up comedian on the Manchester scene with Peter Kay and he really kept us laughing at rehearsals."

Heather is now on the books of a Warrington TV and film extra agency and looks forward to more TV appearances.