BOLTON actress Maxine Peake has hit out at a perceived lack of support for the arts — claiming it is "impossible" for young people to get into the business.

The star of TV's Silk and Shameless was rejected by every drama school in the North West, before gaining a place at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London at the age of 21.

Maxine, aged 40, says she only got through art school after receiving a scholarship, and that she fears for the ability of young people from similar backgrounds to hers to make it in the acting world.

The former Westhoughton High School pupil is currently starring in an adaptation of Caryl Churchill's 1994 play The Skriker, which is being held at the Royal Exchange Theatre as part of the Manchester International Festival.

In an interview on BBC's Newsnight, she said: "It was never easy. I didn't get a grant or any funding, luckily I got a scholarship to go, so I got three years maintenance and fees paid for, otherwise I couldn't go.

"But there is no encouragement now, there is no money for youngsters to go to drama school. It's not just the fees, it's living in London, most of the major drama schools are in London, it's impossible.

"It feels as though we are going to lose a huge swathe of talent, just for financial reasons."

Maxine is not the only actress to voice such concerns, with Julie Walters previously saying many working class children find it difficult to get into drama school.

The debate has been intensified following the success of privately educated actors such as Eddie Redmayne, who appeared in Les Miserables, and Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch.

Maxine said more should be done to promote young people's involvement in the arts.

She added: "The Royal Exchange theatre doesn't get any money from the council, but the young theatre group they have there does amazing work in encouraging young people who otherwise couldn't get in the business, because they can't afford to go to drama school.

"There are places like the Royal Exchange that are doing that but its not just their place to do that.

Alex Poots, the director of the Manchester International Festival, also told the programme: "It's not fair for whole swathes of communities who are not going to get opportunities because the investment is not there.

"One of the things that Britain does brilliantly is culture and arts, and for some reason we are not acknowledging that."