AN actress who has previously starred in Coronation Street brought her drama school to Bolton earlier this month.

Meladrama hosted its first children's after-school club on September 6 at Kearsley Mount.

The school already runs classes in Preston, Chorley and Warrington - but the owner is excited to be in Kearsley.

Owner and professional actress Melanie Ash says that, after the last 18 months of the coronavirus pandemic, that students will benefit from learning and socialising with their peers in an environment outside of the classroom.

She started the training school in 1995 after realising that, outside of Manchester and London, there was very little affordable training and support for those wanting to be professional actors.

Mel, who has worked on Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Casualty and Ackley Bridge, is passionate about supporting and developing new talent in Bolton and across the North West and has secured representation for talented child and adult actors with a number of high-profile agencies.

She appeared on Coronation Street in July 2014 as Sue Hodgkins, the manager of a food bank used by a desperate Anna Windass.

The classes at Kearsley Mount will run through school terms and will focus on all aspects of acting including improvisation, creating believable characters, approaching a script, acting for tv, film and theatre, stage combat and vocal techniques.

Students will participate in a variety of showcases and performances and have the opportunity to be seen by casting directors and agents.

All pupils perform at the end of each term – whether that’s a small open class for friends and family to showcase what they have learnt or a massive full scale production.

Mel said: "We find performing increases confidence and the rehearsal process equips actors with a strong work ethic.

"It also brings students together – creating face to face friendships that are so integral but often missing in the modern world."

Classes are informal and fun with the focus on developing each individual actor towards their own personal goals.

For those without ambitions to be the next big star performing arts have been shown to help adults and children alike with self discipline, social skills, confidence and empathy.

"It’s loads of fun and you’ll make a bunch of new friends," Melanie added.