St Ives Youth Theatre grabbed the attention of a top comedian at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe festival.

Milton Jones, a regular on television show Mock The Week and BBC Radio 4, wished the troupe good luck for their show What I Want To Say But Never Will after they flashmobbed the Royal Mile and Grass Market at the heart of the festival.

Mr Jones told the theatre group: “You’re the guys with tape over your mouths. I saw you everywhere on the Mile. Incredible – good luck with the show.”

Frankie Morgan, assistant director, said: “You know you’re making an impact when the other performers start to moan about you. That means we‘re attracting the attention. This is the largest arts festival and so the toughest market to sell your show. It’s theatrical warfare.”

The group raised £32,000 to take its show to Scotland’s capital from August 13-18 at Sweet Venues, where they received five-star reviews from the audiences.

Annabelle Carder, who raised nearly £700 through a sponsored headshave, said the festival was “an awesome experience”.