A Windsor based acting teacher has come up with a unique idea to help theatre performers struggling in the pandemic - with a little help from Dame Judi Dench and Sir David Jason.

Lorna Pearson-Hall, 50, of Testwood Road has trained actors at such prestigious academies as Italia Conti and Arts ED.

She and fellow teacher Charlie Barker planned to set up a modern repertory company in the Windsor area.

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But the pandemic struck and everything was put on hold.

It was then that inspiraration struck.

Lorna said: "We felt so heartbroken for our graduates, who had graduating into a decimated industry."

They started to look for other ways to give actors a chance to perform.

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They came up with the idea of putting out a request to actors to write and perform a short Christmas piece each, that would become part of a fund raising audio piece called Company at Christmas.

Dame Judi Dench and Sir David Jason learned about it and contributed their own Christmas memories.

The resulting audio can be logged onto until next Wednesday - with people who listen to it asked to make a financial contribution to Acting For Others, an organisation made up of 14 charities that helps theatre workers.

Just visit https://www.convergenceactingstudio.co.uk/donate-to-acting-for-others.

Meanwhile Lorna and Charlie are planning to start online acting classes next month through their company the Convergence Acting Studio and the repertory company is still firmly on the cards for when theatre comes to life again.

Lorna is married to Mark, a management accountant with the Ovo electricity company - himself a long term member of the leading amateur drama group Windsor Theatre Guild.

They have two daughters - both following in their footsteps.

Phoebe is a member of Richings Players and Grace is studying at the Guildford School of Acting.