FORMER St Mary's student Emma Westhead in on her way to the West End.

The 19-year-old has won a scholarship at the prestigious Mount View Theatre School in London.

From there, with a guaranteed Equity card, it is just one step into the glittering world of theatre.

Only 60 students each year are accepted at the school, where Tyldesley's Oscar-winning actress Judi Dench is an honoured member of the board.

Emma auditioned earlier this month and was delighted to be accepted into a school accepted as a feeding ground for national theatre.

Just a year ago Emma was scooping major individual awards with St Mary's at the Buxton International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in "Pirates of Penzance".

And, coached by singing tutor Jacqueline Alderson, she has gone from strength to strength.

A member of St Joseph's Players in Leigh, she enjoyed pantomime success early this year in "Babes in The Wood", captivating delighted audiences with a haunting rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from the hit musical "Les Miserables".

Emma also appeared in the Dorothy Galvin comedy "A Funny Thing Didn't Happen" back in April.

The world is now her oyster!

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