A NEW acting school was opened in Liverpool by television and theatre veteran Paul Nicholas yesterday.

The new school, at the Alima Centre on city centre Sefton Street, is the seventh the Just Good Friends actor has open- ed in the NW, with the aim of offering affordable profes- sional training for children.

Mr Nicholas stopped by the centre on his way to Leeds to film a new daily afternoon soap, The Royal Today, in which he plays a surgeon.

He told the Daily Post: “I’ve done a lot of panto and work with young children, and I’ve always been very impressed with the way the kids behave and the way they love what they’re doing, and it seemed to me a lovely thing to be associated with and I’m very happy to lend my name.

“There’s no audition process, anyone who’s interested can just turn up.

“This is a fantastic venue and I am particularly pleased to open a school in the heart of Liverpool. It is a place full of life and a huge variety of entertainment, art, and of course culture.”

Students will be taught by former Hollyoaks actresses Sarah Jayne Dunn and Helen Noble and theatre actor Graham Tudor.

Miss Dunn, who played Mandy Richardson said: “Between the three of us, we’ve worked in TV and theatre, so we have that knowledge and experience.”

Miss Dunn confirmed she is due to film a part in the new Batman film next week, but has been sworn to secrecy about her role. There will be an open day on September 15 between 10am and 1pm and classes, which run every Saturday, start on September 22.

SEE next Tuesday’s Daily Post for an interview with Sarah Jayne Dunn about landing a role in the new Batman film, The Dark Knight..