FAME and the silver screen beckons for a young actor after winning a place at one of London's top drama schools.

Matthew Landers, of Pope Lane, Penwortham, was bitten by the acting bug as a youngster, and when it came time to apply for university he ditched his UCAS guide and headed straight for drama school.

After applying to three of the country's top schools, one in Edinburgh and two in London, talented Matthew was accepted into all of them before finally selecting East 15 Acting School, in London, famous for turning out some of the country's best known stage and screen stars including actors on television's The Bill, Eastenders and Frost.

Matthew, 19, started studying at East 15 on Monday. His mum, Mary, says she cannot understand where his talent comes from but is delighted with her son's success.

Mary, who runs a playschool in Penwortham, said: "The whole family is amazed. We don't know where it has come from, and we never expected him to go down this road. Nobody in the family has ever been involved in acting before."

Matthew is a former student of Runshaw College, Leyland, where he took examinations in theatre studies, English and physical education. According to Mary, he was even more determined to be an actor after taking part in a play at the Langdale Road college.

She said: "We thought it was just a fad he was going through, but then he won a scholarship to an acting school. It was the first time he had ever auditioned for anything, and we were amazed he got through because he was so inexperienced. Now he is on this acting degree course, and studying from 9pm to 6pm each day. In the third year of his course he will be introduced to agents and put up for auditions. We think he will make a living through it."