WANNABEE young actors and actresses are being encouraged to hone their talents in preparation for a future theatre in Marlborough.

Although the proposed new theatre, cinema and arts centre could still be years away, it's time for young people to prepare to take to the stage, say the directors of the Kennet Valley Arts Trust.

The trust is the driving force behind the town's bid to get the theatre built.

Letters have gone out from Martin Schute, one of the KVATS trustees, to all local schools urging them to get their pupils to support drama, music and art workshops the trust will be running. He said: "Our arts development team is devising a programme of workshops, talks and lectures for pupils."

The programme will start with an acting skills workshop on November 13 in St Mary's Church Hall.

It will be run by Maria Stengard-Green, an actress and theatre director. She can be contacted at 9 Herd Street, Marlborough or e-mail her: maria@stengard-green.com.