THE Young Actors of North Tawton (YANTS) were put through their swashbuckling paces by Jonty Depp this summer in a stage combat workshop.

Jonty, a dead-ringer for Captain Jack Sparrow, treated the group to a surprise lesson in stage fighting along with his assistant, Cutlass Kate. Using foam swords the YANTS learned basic combat moves.

Group leader Tracey Norman said: 'We told them the workshop had a pirate theme and to come along in costume, but they didn't know that they were going to learn sword fighting from "Captain Jack".

'It was a brilliant workshop and all of us — adults and students — learned a lot from it.'

The group is about to start rehearsals for its November production. Turning their hand to comedy, the YANTS will perform NK Warburton's 'Ghost Writer' and Donna Brightwell's 'After School Special'.

For more information visit the group's new website http://www.actorsofnorthtawton.co.uk">www.actorsofnorthtawton.co.uk