A Dorset actor is experiencing newfound fame after starring in a pasty advert.

Lauren Hendricks is the face of the Ginsters ad campaign, playing Merryn, a Devonshire potato farmer.

The humorous advert shows Merryn going about her daily life on the farm, including making herself into a scarecrow to protect her farm.

Lauren grew up in Sherborne with her family living on the Somerset border.

After living in Bournemouth for most of her twenties, she moved up to London to pursue her career in acting.

Speaking about what the role entailed, Lauren said: “The only way I can explain it is that I’m being paid to mess around.

“It was so much fun, we just spent the days laughing non-stop. It’s been an absolute dream."

She said that there was a lot of improvising with the lines and a loose script, meaning the director could wind her up and watch her go.

“Most acting jobs I’ve had are in musical theatre or as a singer, but my heart lies in comedy- they even sent me  a blooper reel which was a good laugh.”

Lauren explained that she didn’t need to put on the accent for the filming due to her west country roots.

She said: “When I’m very excited or angry it does pop out.

“I just sort of grew up around farms so it was lovely to do it. When I was auditioning my auntie said that the character was so like her and so I think she helped me get the job.”

The actor said that she hasn’t been noticed much for her role yet, but said: “A couple of people found a Tik Tok I made with my flatmate and asked ‘Are you the girl from the Ginsters ad?’ and I just feel so excited and proud.”

Despite moving to London, Lauren finds she can't stray far from the south west, taking on the Ginsters advert filmed in Falmouth, as well as performing in the Barnstaple Pantomime this year for the second time in a row.

Lauren will be returning to play Fairy Flora in this year’s Sleeping Beauty at Queen’s Theatre, having played Fairy Aubergine in last year’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Sleeping Beauty is at the Queen's Theatre in Barnstaple from Wednesday, December 13 to Sunday, December 31.