IT may well be the next best thing to ­appearing in former ITV police drama The Bill for an aspiring star.

Police Scotland is planning to spend around £75,000 to hire actors to star in role-play training exercises.

It wants an acting company to provide thespians for 29 scenarios that will be used to help equip officers for life in the force.

The successful applicants will be required to play assault and sexual offence victims who are interviewed by officers and police staff.

Scenarios to be acted out include an employee approaching a senior officer for help with bullying or coming out as gay.

The actors will appear in interactive, online training videos throughout the three-year contract.

A force spokeswoman said: "The actors will work with officers and ­partners such as social work to fulfil a variety of training needs.

"These include training of sexual offences liaison officers and courses in joint interview protocols.

"The actors will play the parts of victims."