An agency finding walk-on roles in television dramas, films and commercials has been taken over by Sussex actress Amanda Holmes.

The Elliott Agency was founded more than 20 years ago by theatrical couple Marcelle and Ian Elliott and was run from their office in Brighton.

Following the death of Marcelle, the agency is now run by Mrs Holmes, whose roles have included understudy for Hollywood actress Lee Remick, West End musicals, three seasons at Chichester and the chorus of the Royal Ballet.

Her husband Robin Holmes was used as a body double for actor David Suchet in the TV series Poirot and runs his own company, The Show Business, building and installing conference sets.

Mrs Holmes runs the agency from her home in South Chailey, near Lewes, supplying actors and actresses for The Bill, Eastenders, The Frank Skinner Show and TV and magazine commercials.

Mrs Holmes said: "We provide people for background parts so they need some acting experience. They must know how to deliver a line and how to behave in front of the camera.

"There are other agencies that find people for the crowd scenes where no experience is necessary. In Sussex, especially in Brighton and Hove, there are a lot of actors and unfortunately part of an actor's time is spent doing other things. By taking on these roles, they can keep their hand in, earn a reasonable fee and not be committed for any length of time.

"I should warn anybody thinking of applying it is not a job for those thinking they are going to be discovered and make the starring role. That only happens in fiction.

"This involves lots of waiting, discipline, punctuality and reliability and then they could find their performance on the cutting-room floor because the programme was too long.

"I don't want to put people off but they should know what they are letting themselves in for."

Mrs Holmes plans to expand the business, including online access to available talent.

She said: "I've worked hard on the agency's lists and have lots of new faces, most of whom can talk as well as walk and I hope to be able to find roles for many more."

The agency can be contacted on 01273 401264.