YOUNG actors and actresses from West Devon are being sought to audition for a brand new drama set to tour the county early next year.

Twenty five of the region's most talented young actors will be starring in a play which brings the second world war to life.

'Blackouts, Bobbies and Bombs' is a new play which follows the lives of three Devon policemen between the hours of 6am and midnight on one day in 1940.

Based on the true-life experiences of serving police officers, the story follows their attempts to catch some of the region's most infamous wartime criminals, while also dealing with air raids, evacuation and the everyday lives of ordinary people.

The play is being put together by the Devon Arts In Schools Initiative (DAISI), in collaboration with the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary Heritage Learning Resource, based at Okehampton.

Young actors and actresses aged between 14 and 19 with a passion for theatre are being sought to audition for a part in the play, at a workshop day being held on Saturday, November 7 at Okehampton College.

Devon Youth Theatre artistic director Jon Croose said cast members would have a chance to interview retired police officers and people who remember the war, and to turn their experiences into exciting new drama for the stage.

'We will be mixing live action with film and digital media and performing at three different professional venues over three nights, including shows at the Exeter Phoenix and Dartington,' he said.

'We will be selecting 25 young people to come to two theatre boot-camp weekends in January, and after that there will be an intensive rehearsal phase during February half term with the three-show tour at the end of the week.

'It is going to be hard work, but really good fun, and it is a great chance for teenagers to work alongside theatre professionals.'

Anyone interested in getting involved with Devon Youth Theatre or finding out more, should go to http://www.daisi.org.uk">www.daisi.org.uk or contact DAISI on 01392 385214 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]