A YOUNG actor has been accepted to train at a prestigious American academy.

Scott Cooper, 18, will be flying out to New York in January to follow in the footsteps of some of the silver screen's most famous stars as a student at the American Academy of Dramatic Art.

The academy has seen Hollywood icons such as Robert Redford, Lauren Bacall, Kim Cattrall and Danny DiVito pass through its doors.

Former Haslingden High School pupil Scott, who lives with his mum and dad, John and Gail, in Burnley Road, Rawtenstall, auditioned for the drama school back on Friday April 13 - but this didn't prove to be bad luck as he has now learned he was successful.

He said: "I'm elated. It is intense classical acting training.

"I will be learning everything including musical theatre. It is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to be an actor."

Scott said he was awarded a place at London academy Italia Conti last year but turned it down because he didn't feel it was right for him.

He also applied for other prestigious centres including RADA, without success, so was spurred on to apply for the AADA.

He said: "It was a flippant decision. I was really down on my luck in applying to schools in this country so I thought just go for it' and my luck changed. It has really turned my life around."

AADA is the only American academy to hold auditions in this country, thanks to it's English principal.

Scott impressed assessors in London with two monologues, one from Shakespeare's Othello' and one from American play I Hate Hamlet'.

Scott, who studied A levels in English language and literature, music and per-formance studies, has been acting since a young age.

He played Jordan Fishwick in Yorkshire Television's hit series At Home with the Braithwaites when he was 14.

Scott has also performed with The Rossendale Players several times, most recently in sell-out show Hobson's Choice as Will Mossop.

He has also taken London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art exams, at a centre in Brierfield, achieving grade eight.

The course will last for two years, with an optional third year and initially Scott will be in student accommodation New York.

He is currently working at Kenross Containers, in Crawshawbooth, to save up some of the £20,000-a-year he will need to cover fees and living costs.

The rest he is hoping to make up with sponsor-ship. Anyone who can help can contact him on 01706 830273.