NELSON teenager Adam Bowles will be hoping for cheers from the audience when he takes to the stage tonight in the lead role of a Christmas panto.

The 19-year-old, who is currently studying for a BA (Hons) degree in music and drama in Liverpool, has grown up with the music industry and his reputation for acting preceded him when the Theatre Royal in St Helens was on the lookout for a young man to play Aladdin.

The pantomime also features Johnny Leeze, who played Ned Glover in Emmerdale, and Pete Price, a radio presenter on Liverpool's City FM. It will open tonight and will run until January 6.

Although only 19, Adam is no stranger to the limelight and by the age of 14 he had already established himself as the percussionist for the Pendle Youth Orchestra and took part in school productions at St Theodore's in Burnley.

He then moved on to Blackburn College and was earning himself the leading roles in productions of My Fair Lady, Sweeney Todd and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

He is currently living in Liverpool during his studies but returns to Pendle whenever he can to see his dad, who lives in Brierfield, and the rest of his family in Nelson.