A GOUROCK actress returned to this year's Edinburgh Fringe with her all female production company - and wowed audiences with a sold-out run of shows.

Claire Docherty, 24, had grown up performing but never dreamed she could carve out a career on the stage.

But after sold out runs and a string of five-star reviews, she is set for a bright future.

Claire, who attended Moorfoot Primary School and Clydeview Academy, started drama classes in Greenock aged five and went on to perform with the local Kayos Theatre Company.

She secured a place at theatre school in Glasgow before studying BA Hons Acting for Stage and Screen at Edinburgh Napier and Queen Margaret University.

Claire said: “I grew up performing but didn't ever think it was something I could actually do as a career.

“Being in Kayos gave me the chance to be in full scale musicals and plays and I just loved it. I went to theatre school when I was 16 and it allowed me to experience what it would be like to work as a professional performer.

It was at university that Claire met Sarah Dingwall, Niamh Kinane, Mhairi McCall, Becky Niven and Lana Pheutan, who now make up Pretty Knickers Production.

Claire said: “We got along extremely well and quickly realised we all wanted to make the same kind of work, female led, playful but poignant theatre that featured interesting female characters that were more than just wives, sisters and girlfriends, people who had their own stories.”

Since forming, the company performed their first show called OUT, to a maximum capacity crowd and had a sold out run.

Their most recent show at the Fringe last month was titled Heir Heads. It sold out in minutes and received a five-star review from EdinburghGuide.com

Claire said: “We were delighted to sell out our run before curtain up. We are so grateful to have so much support and it feels good to be able to turn up and perform to a sold-out room every day.

“After selling out last year we realised that people are interested in our work. Having sell out shows at the largest arts festival in the world has given us the confidence to go again next year on a bigger scale.

"I am also grateful for the support I have had from my family, who haven’t missed a show yet.”

The group are now heading to Yorkshire to perform.