AN aspiring actress has had a major boost to her dreams of joining the profession.

Nineteen-year-old Abigayle Hames, of Bacup, was overjoyed at being accepted onto the funding programme by the Realising Dreams Foundation, to cover part of her £4,500 fees.

Miss Hames studies at the Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama (MADD) in Nottingham and is in her third year.

The budding star was one of 500 hopefuls fighting for just 30 places. Both she and fellow former Haslingden High School student Sam Chisnell, 18, of Crawshawbooth, were accepted at the school.

Teachers at the school advised Miss Hames that a stage school was better for a career in acting than a university, prompting her to audition.

She said: “I wrote to different sponsors and was rejected and then on Facebook I read about Realising Dreams so I applied.”

After not receiving any reply, the drama student then called them and was told she had been accepted and was to receive £1,500 each year.

She said: “I am also a senior mentor with the National Citizenship Scheme in Bury and they also helps towards the cost.

“Without Realising Dreams I would not have been able to go to MADD. They have helped me so much so I am trying to let as many people as possible know so they too will be able to realise their dreams.”