A LOCAL drama teacher is hoping to help talented children break into showbiz.

Amanda Goodwin, 40, of Richmond Avenue, Highams Park, has been running the Act 2 drama school at Handsworth Primary School for nearly five years and has now set up the Act 2 children’s agency.

“I was sick of children getting ripped off by other agencies,” she said.

“They ask for a £75 registration fee.”

Mother-of-three Mrs Goodwin does not ask for a registration fee and works on the children’s behalf, using her own experience in the industry.

“I went to drama school in Debden, but realised I didn’t want to act,” she said.

“I used to work for Stage Coach and that gave me the idea to do this myself.”

And although the agency has yet to launch officially, Mrs Goodwin has already helped one young performer to begin his career.

Mickey Morris, seven, who attends Handsworth School, is set to star in a child bereavement campaign through Act 2.

“This was without the agency being completely up and running,” Mrs Goodwin said.

“There’s going to be an advert and poster campaign and various other bits and bobs as well.”

She also plans to set up a secure website so that children can register with her, which is set to launch in the course of the next month.

The Act 2 summer school is in its fourth year and will be running from July 27 to 31 at Highams Park School.