A TEENAGER from Malham desperate to get into the world of acting has gained the support of Dame Judi Dench.

Max Orrell has been offered a place at the world famous Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London.

In a bid to raise the £16,000 tuition and accommodation fees, the 18-year-old, who was just one of 25 offered a place out of 1,500 hopefuls, has taken to the Internet and set up a Crowdfunding project.

So far, he has raised £1,655, and a message of support from Dame Judi, but he is still a long way off his goal.

Max, who has appeared in school and other amateur productions, including playing Bugsy Malone with the Settle Amateur Operatic Society Juniors, said he had always loved acting.

"I don't want to be an actor for the money. It would be nice, but I want to do this because I love it, not because I want fame and fortune and everything that goes with it."

And he is keen to prove that not only wealthy former Eton schoolboys make it into the world of acting.

"There's a lot of talk about the type of kids who can afford to go to the best drama schools. Julie Walters, David Morrissey and Kevin Spacey have all recognised how difficult it is. If I can't get a leg up, this opportunity will drift away and that would be gutting."

The Italia Conti Academy - where actors as diverse as Noel Coward and Russell Brand went - has offered him a one-year foundation course.

Statistically, there is a higher chance of getting a place at Oxford or Cambridge universities.

His father, Tim Orrell, said they were keen to do whatever they could to make sure Max took up his place.

Crowdfunding reaches a larger number of people through the internet and can result in support for a wide and varied number of projects.

"I have a good job, but finding the sort of cash needed would be a real challenge for any family, so we thought we'd try crowdfunding," said Mr Orrell.

To support Max's Crowdfunding project go to hubbub.net/p/maxitaliacontiappeal