A UNIQUE theatre company in the South West which provides adults with learning disabilities an opportunity to develop their acting abilities has scooped £10,000 from one of the largest grant-making trusts in the UK.

The money from the Lloyds TSB Foundation will fund a full day session once a week at the Alexander Centre in Tavistock for the Get Changed Theatre Company whose members come from day centres in Tavistock, Okehampton and Yelverton. It will also enable the company to pay its actors who will increase to 12.

Started in 1995, the theatre company has put on five productions which have gone on tour around the South West.

Each member of the group is encouraged to make their own decisions about the content and format of the productions to help them gain new skills in acting, scriptwriting and directing.

The organisation raises public awareness of needs and difficulties experienced by people with disabilities and provides its members with a chance for social education and personal development.

Project co-ordinator Vicky Hooper said she was so proud of all the members and loved working with them.

'Everybody who has seen their performances thinks they are amazing and the acting abilities of the members are really extraordinary,' she said.

'Being involved in Get Changed certainly brings them out of themselves because sometimes when they start they are very shy and reserved.'

The money will be spread over a two-year period and will inevitably mean more communities will have the chance to see performances by Get Changed, which is the only theatre company of its kind in the South West.

Mrs Hooper said instead of half a day, the weekly sessions would now be a full day and members would be given the opportunity to earn money for their work.

'Get Changed has really been considered before as a session run from the day centre but with the money it can exist on its own and pay people to work for a day a week,' added Mrs Hooper.

Senior Branch Manager at Lloyds TSB in Okehampton Nicky Furse, who met actors during their rehearsals in the Charter Hall, Okehampton last Wednesday, said: 'The Lloyds TSB Foundation is committed to working with charities which enable people, especially disadvantaged and disabled people, to play a fuller role in their community.

'I am delighted that the Foundation has been able to support the Get Changed Theatre Company and its work.'

The company is currently on tour with 'Children of the Sky' which is due to run until January and includes performances in Okehampton and Plymouth.