TEENAGER Gemma Rooke found herself in the spotlight when she was asked to step into Peter Pan's shoes halfway through a theatre production.

Gemma, 16, of Thornfield Avenue, Waterfoot, was suddenly promoted from the role of Nana the dog to the title role in Burnley Youth Theatre's performance at Burnley Mechanics Theatre.

Gemma took over the role of Peter Pan from Liam Nuttall, 12, of Bacup, who had all but lost his voice to a flu bug. She was told of her starring role only the night before and had to learn her lines quickly.

Gemma, a pupil at Haslingden High School, appeared in front of the Mayor of Burnley, Coun Eddie Fisk, mayors of neighbouring East Lancashire boroughs, Burnley MP Peter Pike, and the rest of the audience for the grand finale performance.

Jackie Taylor, partner of Gemma's dad Paul Rooke, said: "She was absolutely thrilled to be asked. It's every girl's dream to be asked to fill in the starring role.

"She's been a member of the youth theatre for five or six years and she's had some significant parts before but nothing as big as this. She ran through her lines all night and the next morning learning them for a matinee performance and then the final night.

"Everyone knew it would be difficult for her because she'd had so little time to learn her lines so they all pulled together as a team to help her.

"She was very emotional when she came off stage because she knew everyone had been behind her."

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