HIAL recently launched a search for two youngsters, with or without previous acting experience, to appear in a TV commercial that will be filmed towards the end of May. The response from the public has been huge.

The airport operator and leading Glasgow-based advertising agency Frame Cunningham will be auditioning aspiring young high fliers aged 8 to 12 years at the Inverness Thistle Hotel on Saturday 10 May. A shortlist of potential small screen stars will be called back for final selection on Sunday afternoon.

The advert, promoting the increasing number of air travel options in the region, will be screened on Grampian Television later in the year and also be used for marketing and promotional purposes by the company that operates 10 airports in the Highlands and Islands.

Alex Johnson, commercial and marketing manager at Highlands and Islands Airports said: "We have had a very encouraging response to this call for local young people to appear in our new television advertising campaign. The number of expressions of interest has been very high and we are looking forward to a busy day of auditions on Saturday and a difficult decision when it comes to choosing the two people who will appear in the final advert.

"While this advert will focus on our principal hub airport at Inverness, the intention is to progress the campaign next year with a second commercial promoting our other main passenger hubs at Kirkwall, Sumburgh and Stornoway and the other airports in the group. Our 10 airports have again seen substantial passenger growth in the past year and we are determined to ensure that as many people as possible within the region are utilising air services to their benefit in terms of time and cost savings in business and leisure travel."

Kevin Toner, client services director at Frame Cunningham added: "This projects seems to have really captured the imagination of people locally and our creative team members are looking forward to their weekend in Inverness. They have a pretty hectic schedule ahead of them as they will be holding the auditions and casting sessions as well as checking out possible filming locations while in the area. All in all, this looks like an exciting weekend ahead, especially for the two young people who will be chosen to appear in the final film."

Children aged 8 to 12, accompanied by adults, are invited to register for the auditions between 10am and 12 noon on Saturday 10 May at the Inverness Thistle Hotel on Milburn Road. Casting auditions will take place between noon and 5pm on Saturday with successful finalists called back for a second round on Sunday afternoon.

Aspiring actors requiring further information should contact Highlands and Islands Airports on 01667 462445.

ENDS