A casting agency has held a week of acting masterclasses to try and identify new talent in the area.

The five-day schedule of acting workshops and tutoring took place in the Richard Rose Morton Academy.

The sessions were organised by Lakeside Castings, a Cumbrian talent agency.

Phil McKay who runs the agency, said: "We ran this same camp in 2014 and 15 and decided to it again.

"We've been doing acting workshops every month to find new talent.

"The youngest is 11 and the oldest is about 50.

"We are not a theatre school - we are a casting agency.

"I think this is the best way to discover new talent."

Phil, who has been an agent since 2000, transitioned to talent spotting after a career in TV.

He said: "I've been involved with acting since 1986.

"I started this agency to use my experience to help other people get into the business."

As well as acting training the participants are also given advice on how to audition and the practicalities of the business.

Throughout the process Phil's eye is always on the future and he's ready to deploy his contacts to get the best and the brightest involved in professional productions.

He said: "We build them up in the workshops and then put them forward for auditions and try and get them on TV.

"The kids are passionate about acting and want to learn the craft.

"I can try and spot the stars and see who is ready to audition.

Director Mitch Bridgewater, 26, runs the acting side of the sessions.

He said: "Some people have had zero training and just found us online.

"Then we've got people who have acted in their youth and have come back to it.

"And we've got some people who studied it at university.

"We are not looking for people who have extensive CVs.

"We are looking for people who have raw talent."

The summer workshops by Lakeside Castings attracted a broad range of ages and abilities.

Marie Scoughal, 37, from Scotby runs Icon Beauty, a spa business at the Rheged Centre near Penrith.

She said: "I sat down at new year and thought 'if I was not doing what I do for a living now what would I do instead' and I thought 'acting'.

"I'm 37 now and I decided it's now or never.

"I've been at work this morning and finished at 11 to do this.

"I fit it in around work and my business."

Luke Thompson, 12, from Brampton has been attending acting workshops since September.

He said: "I have wanted to be an actor for a few years and I've done some stage things.

"I heard about these classes and I decided to come along."