FIVE years ago a Lostock's Sarah Burrill left the nine to five life behind her to take a leap into the world of theatre.

She has now established a theatre company which will see her taking to the stage with a well-known Coronation Street actor for a summer tour.

Little Diamond Theatre Company was established by Sarah last year and it's first production, September in the Rain, will be hitting theatres next month.

Its a another big milestone for the 47-year-old who did theatre studies at A level but left acting behind to study for a Hospitality degree at university.

She said: "It was November 2012 when I got the fire in my belly after going to see a show by the Adlington Players, I don't know what it was but knew I needed to get back into acting again.

"I was stuck at home doing an admin job, and although it was a good job I felt a bit lonely and knew I had to push myself to a Googled for local acting classes and it went from there.

"It's a dream come true!"

After taking a few refresher acting lessons and auditions, she impressed enough to secure big parts on stage as well as speaking extra roles on television.

She was picked up by Bolton agent Amanda Fairclough and continued to revel in roles on stage and even securing commercials like Santander and Beach Holidays.

Last year she appeared in Bolton's Octagon Theatre studio in Colin Connor's award winning play Fighter.

Not content with just playing a part, Sarah decided to set up Little Diamond Theatre Company which she runs from the Lostock home she shares with husband Martin.

Its first production September in the Rain, by award-winning playwright John Godber, was debuted in January to a sold out crowd at Oldham Coliseum, where they also raised £6,000 for ‘MAHDLO’, Oldham’s Youth Zone.

Sarah credits the support of friend and director Andy Pope and fellow actor Steve Jackson for its success.

Steve is better known to audiences as former Coronation Street regular Janice Battersby's lodger and binman Trevor Dean.

He appears alongside Sarah in the 'Northern love story' play which follows miner Jack and his wife Liz on their annual holiday to Blackpool.

"I don't think my family have seen me for the last couple of years because I knew I had to put my heart and soul into the company if I wanted it to go anywhere," Sarah added.

"It's really very exciting at the moment and i can't wait to see where it goes."

September in the Rain will be at Preston Guildhall Charter Theatre on Wednesday, Manchester Dancehouse on Thursday July 14, Rhyl Pavilion on July 20, and Whitby Pavilion on July 23.