HOPEFULS auditioned for the role of the founders of Carterton, who will take part in celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of the town council.

The auditions for William and Eliza Ellen Carter — who were the first settlers to develop Carterton into a town — were held on Wednesday.

Although just four people turned up at RAF Brize Norton Theatre Club to battle it out for the roles, club producer Mike Caffrey – pictured auditioning Phil Gorse – believes that there was no shortage of talent. He said: “It was excellent.

“I am thinking of trying to get some of those people in the theatre club. There are a lot of hidden actors and actresses.”

During the auditions, the two potential Mr Carters and two would-be Mrs Carters were asked to read a speech and then had to interview Mr Caffrey.

He said: “I wanted them to think like a Victorian and react like a Victorian.

“They are a relic from the past who are brought back — they need to react to things as though they are strange.

“Everybody looked at me very weirdly when I asked them to do it, but they very quickly got into the flow and it was very impressive.”

Mr Caffrey will recommend to the town council who he thinks should play Mr and Mrs Carter. The winners will be told early next week.

The Carterton Celebrates events take place during the weekend of September 11-12.