DRAMA student Leanne Hoyle is one step nearer her dream of appearing in the West End after she won a scholarship to a prestigious acting school in London.
Leanne, 21, of Farholme Lane, Stacksteads, is soon to graduate from her performing arts course at the University of Sunderland.
And she will go from one course to the London school which has produced artists such as Michael Ball, Gaby Roslin and Owen Teale.
Leanne had to undergo several singing, acting and dancing auditions before being accepted and now will get a chance to appear in box office hits such as Chicago and Miss Saigon.
She said: "I couldn't believe it. Getting into the school guarantees you a job when you graduate. West End producers come down during students' final years to offer them jobs."
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