BODMIN'S got talent, and a local actor wants to harness it for a new theatre company for the town.

Equity member Mark-Allan Pilgrim believes there is much untapped talent of all ages and he is willing to share his experience to get the project off the ground.

He also feels the Public Rooms is a terrific venue that is underused and more theatre should be available in the town for its residents to enjoy.

Mr Pilgrim trained at St Austell's Hub Theatre School and his credits include Life on Earth at the London Palladium, several one-man shows and voiceovers for commercials.

Now, with a young family in Bodmin, he is doing less professional work and the 36-year-old says he has time to devote to the project.

"The sort of show we could put on depends on the experience people have, but my initial idea is to put on a variety review, where people of all ages can come along and perform.

"It could be they are musical, or like reciting monologues, or fancy doing comedy sketches; it really would be pretty open.

"If there is enough interest, it will be a case of developing it from the ideas people have.''

Ideally, Mr Pilgrim would like to coincide a show with July's Bodmin Heritage weekend.

"Not a lot goes on in Bodmin given the population of the town, and it should do.

"The Public Rooms is a very good venue with a nice big stage and it should be used more, so this may be an opportunity to do just that,'' he said.

"Eventually, I'd like to think we could put on a review, maybe once a month.

"The beauty of a variety show as opposed to a play, is that people don't have to give up a lot of their time to rehearsals, but how it develops will depend on what people want.''

Those interested should e-mail markallanpilgrim@btinternet.com