AN acting academy backed by Birds of a Feather star Pauline Quirke has reopened its doors.

For the past six months the Pauline Quirke Academy (PQA), which meets at Bury Grammar, has been mothballed.

But the acting school, which has been conducting virtual performing arts activities in lockdown with West End stars and world class film directors, is back in person.

Andrea Young, PQA principal, said: "It has been so fantastic to welcome our wonderful students back. They’re excitement was just infectious.

"My team and I were thrilled to see so many happy faces."

Academy officials have introduced socially-distanced bubbles to keep their charges safe and conduct temperature checks on arrival.

One parent said: "It was all perfectly thought through. Clearly lots of hard work has gone in. We couldn’t wait to get to a bit of normality.”

The academy is enrolling again with classes run on Saturdays from 2.30pm to 5.45pm at the grammar school's infants site in Bridge Street.

For more information or to book a free taster session call 07492092672 or email andrea.young@pqacademy.com