Theatre producer and actor Paul Nicholas is hoping to set up a stage school in Oxford.

Mr Nicholas, best known for his role as Vince Pinner in the BBC sitcom Just Good Friends, has set up stage schools in other parts of the country catering for budding actors aged four to 18.

Mr Nicholas said: "I love Oxford and it would be great to open a Paul Nicholas School of Acting here.

"Acting is a brilliant way to give children the confidence and other skills needed to get by in life. I was terrible at normal schoolwork, but was able to come into my own with the more physical and creative classes."

Paul Nicholas stage schools have been set up in Liverpool, Manchester, Whitby, Blackpool, Plymouth and Bedford.

Mr Nicholas said he was looking for a suitable location and trained staff who would be interested in joining forces with him.

After he shot to fame in Just Good Friends, the actor starred in numerous West End hits including Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Barnum, and 42nd Street.

He is producing the hit musical Grease in the West End and on Broadway.

The schools of acting operate at weekends and in the evenings with two-hour sessions costing about £8.

Managing director Karen Roberts, managing director of the Paul Nicholas School of Acting, said: "It's an amazing opportunity for anyone who has ever wanted to run their own acting school to do so, with one of the most respected names in show business behind them."

Ms Roberts said no location had yet been found in Oxford, but a school could be up and running in about five months.