ONE of the country's foremost actors, Pete Postlethwaite broke off from rehearsals for his one-man show last week to talk to MICHAEL BAWS about his work for Caitlin's Kickstart Fund.

PETE Postlethwaite may be playing the clown, for his one-man show Scaramouche Jones, but he's deadly serious about the reason why he's doing it - Caitlin's Kickstart Fund.

"It's an important thing to do," he said.

"The fund has been going about three or four years.

"It's still got a long way to go. It's got to get to £50,000 to be self financing."

His two performances last weekend, in Ludlow Asssembly rooms. were in aid of the fund.

Named after Ludlow College student Caitlin Hurcombe, it helps performing arts students to further their studies.

As patron of the fund Pete has been involved in choosing beneficiaries.

"It's very difficult," he stated. "They all deserve it.

"It's a very, very worthwhile thing."

Pete recently played Scaramouche Jones in Church Stretton, near to where he lives.

"It's scary playing in front of your neighbours," he admitted.

"But Shropshire people are invariably supportive."

He is very proud of the OBE he received in the New Year's Honours but he nearly missed the award altogether.

"I was in Toronto when I had a telephone call asking me to ring Downing Street urgently," he explained.

"They wanted to know whether I would accept it as it was now Wednesday and the closing date was Friday. It's a great honour."

He wanted audiences to leave Scaramouche Jones feeling "exhilarated and drained."

Asked if he felt the same after a performance, he replied: "It's very rewarding, especially when you feel the audience feedback while you're on the stage.

"I think they will be surprised and they will be delighted."