An actress more used to gritty television dramas shared the joy of acting with children in Wanstead yesterday.

Ilford Recorder: Parents and children act with surprise during the interactive sessionsParents and children act with surprise during the interactive sessions (Image: Archant)

Mum-of-two Sam Seager, who has starred in Coronation Street, Casualty and The Lakes, opened the latest term of her Acting Bugs group in the Christ Church, Wanstead Place.

Aimed at pre-school children, the group introduces them to acting with story-telling, improvisation, props and puppets.

Sam, who will be better known to children as Bobby the Bus Cleaner on CBeebies show Me Too!, said: “The aim is all about having fun, the children should feel like they’re at a party but it’s really educational.

“It’s using their imaginations and their bodies and it’s an opportunity to learn.”

Stories told to the children include “Marvin the monkey visits the moon” and the “Magic Silver Telescope”, which gets children to imagine viewing their favourite things.

Parents, who stay with their children during sessions, are encouraged to take part by acting out being a piece of jelly, for example.

The group runs during school term times on a drop-in basis and costs £5 per child per session.

The Wanstead class is on Mondays, between 1.45pm and 2.45pm.

For more information visit www.actingbugs.co.uk or email Sam on actingbugs100@gmail.com.