ASPIRING actors and Inverclyde stage veterans will co-star in the annual Inverclyde One Act Festival next month.

The local branch of the Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA) is busy rehearsing for its yearly showcase of acting and writing talent from across the district.

The One Act Festival takes place at the Beacon Arts Centre from February 21-23 featuring 10 home-grown plays performed by a mixture of emerging and experienced performers across three days.

Among the groups taking part are Greenock Players, its youth section and Port Glasgow High School Drama Club.

Completing the line-up are GIP Theatre Company, Kayos Youth Theatre and PLAMF.

Playwright and organiser David Carswell, vice-chairman of Inverclyde SCDA, said: "The festival has been on the go for a long, long time but a new committee was formed last year.

"Previously, the number of clubs taking part was quite limited but we've widened the net and this is the second year we've had the likes of Kayos and Port Glasgow High taking part.

"The important thing again for us this year it that the total number of actors involved is in the region of 100, which is absolutely brilliant from the point of view that more kids are getting involved, getting that experience performing on stage at the Beacon and enjoying themselves. "Some casts are 25 to 30 strong.

"Bringing through young actors is important, it's the lifeblood of theatre in Inverclyde."

As well as giving a platform to emerging talent, the festival will also showcase experienced local stage stars like Kevin Murphy and Chris Gavin, of the Greenock Players, in 'Frater Patter', a new piece written by David, who runs GIP Theatre Company.

David wrote the successful Morton production 'Mon Eh Ton', which was on at the Beacon in 2017, and is producing a new Benny Lynch play, which is touring Scotland this year and stars River City's Stephen Purdon and veteran actor David Hayman.

Another well-kent face lined up for the festival is Graham Campbell, alongside Jacqui Templeton, in a remake of 'Vampire Clinic' by legendary Greenock playwright Peter McDougall.

The programme also includes Greenock Players' Youth with comedy 'Zombie Apocalypse' and Kayos Theatre in 'Extremism'.

Plays range between 20 and 50 minutes in length and there will be four pieces performed on Thursday February 21 and three each on Friday 22 and Saturday 23.

For tickets and more information, visit beaconartscentre.co.uk or call 723723.