TALENTED schoolgirl Sophie Henderson has been awarded a trophy after scooping the best marks in the whole of East Lancashire in speech and drama exams.

The bubbly nine-year-old, of Oakwood Close, Darwen, wowed the judges with her rendition of the poem The Night Will Never Stay.

Sophie, who attends Holy Trinity School, Darwen, is also passionate about dancing and hopes to make it in showbusiness one day.

She passed the exams with flying colours after receiving private lessons from drama and stage coach Judith Grills.

Her proud dad Andrew said: "We're really pleased and proud of Sophie.

"We sent her and her brother to lessons to help them become more confident at school and help them with public speaking."