AN actress from Bewdley is going back to college with her actor/singer boyfriend to raise cash for victims of the Boxing Day tsunami.

Claire Warboys studied at Birmingham School of Speech and Drama and has returned there to rehearse for the play The Real Inspector Hound, which she and her partner, Jonathan Darby, are appearing in to raise cash for the disaster fund.

The couple, of Load Street, Bewdley, are part of a company called The Good Will Players, put together for the one-off production by James Eaves, who directed the short film they starred in last year, Briefcase.

Mr Darby said it was hoped the production - which he described as "a very funny play-within-a-play" - would sell out and raise £5,000 for the appeal.

"I think everyone was touched by what happened in the tsunami and it's very nice to put money in a box but, if you feel you can do something to raise a lot more money, then it's a good way of using your time," he said.

"From a selfish point of view, it's very enjoyable to do and if we can raise a lot of money at the same time then it's all the more satisfying."

Mr Darby and Ms Warboys, whose relationship blossomed at Stourport Choral and Operatic Society, are one of several couples from the district taking part in a Tsunami Benefit Gala Variety Show at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on Monday, February 14.

Professional percussionist and musical director of Stourport-based Carpet Trades Operatic Society, David Howles helped to come up with the idea for the concert during a conversation with West End star, Gary Wilmot. He will perform in the benefit concert alongside district singers Russell Painter, Darren and Sarah Richards and Julian and Wendy Richards.

Mr Howles, who featured in the Shuttle/Times & News, last summer, when he celebrated his 40th birthday with a concert featuring the leading lights of the Wyre Forest entertainment scene, is playing drums in the Grand Theatre's pantomime Cinderella which stars Gary Wilmot.

Tickets for The Real Inspector Hound, being performed at Birmingham Library Theatre on Wednesday, February 26, can be obtained by calling 0121 2365622 or logging onto www.birminghamboxoffice.com

Tickets for the Tsunami Benefit Gala Variety Show are available from the Grand Theatre's box office on 01902 429212.