AN aspiring actor and actress offered dream places at an American academy are facing the heartbreaking possibility of having to turn down the course as they cannot afford the fees.

Hannah Cook and George Mountain,both 20, have been offered places to study at the New York Film Academy in September but need to raise about £50,000 for living and tuition costs before they can accept the two-year course.

The Wyre Forest duo, who hope to star in TV shows and films, are in limbo as they cannot fill out their visa forms to live in America without proof of funding.

They are now in a desperate race against time to find sponsorship from businesses so they can live out their dream in the Big Apple.

Ms Cook, of Kidderminster, who is in her final year at Kidderminster College, said: “I’ve always dreamed of going to America since I was a tiny little girl.I never thought it would ever happen and now I’ve got the chance to do it,it’s absolutely breaking my heart that I haven’t got the funds.

“I would be distraught if I had to turn it down because there’s nothing I want more.”

Mr Mountain, who has dreamed of being an actor since he was 16, added: “I can’t get excited because I’ve got it in the back of my mind that I’m not going to be able to go.

It would be the best opportunity I would ever have.”

The friends were both offered places to study at the academy, where tuition fees are about £10,000 a term, on the spot after wowing judges at an audition in London.They have been offered a scholarship by the academy but said it was not enough to cover the tuition fees.

“We’re sending letters to whoever we think can help,” said Mr Mountain, of Stourport.

Ms Cook added: “Getting a sponsorship would be phenomenal.”

“People sponsoring me would be putting their hand in their pocket for a good reason because I work hard.

“To have the chance to do what I’ve always wanted to do as a career in a place where I’ve always thought that I belong is the best thing I could ever have.”

People interested in sponsoring Ms Cook can email han-lar@ hotmail.co.uk or Mr Mountain by contacting Kidderminster College on 01562 820811.