A FORMER Rainford High pupil is heading for the bright lights of London to tread the boards of one of the country's top drama schools after winning a prestigious scholarship award from a top West End impresario.

Craig Stephens (18) from Billinge, was overjoyed when the Mount View Drama School in London accepted his application for their three-year course.

But joy turned to heartbreak when Craig was informed by St Helens Council that they were not able to offer him a grant because he was not studying for a recognised degree course.

Fortunately, Mount View decided to nominate Craig for the renowned Cameron MacKintosh Scholarship Award which is only accorded to two pupils - one girl, one boy - each year. And after attending an audition in London where he sang and performed a piece on stage, the organisers were convinced and awarded Craig the prize of £21,000 needed to pay for the course.

The delighted student told the Star: "When the council said they couldn't offer me a grant I thought I wouldn't be able to go to Mount View because there is no way I could have afforded the fees without some sort of help. So winning the Cameron MacKintosh Award is a godsend really. The audition was nerve-racking but I enjoyed it. It gave me good experience of what to expect in future auditions although I was a bit disappointed that Cameron MacKintosh himself wasn't there."

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