A gifted student from Carlisle is set to tread the boards at Liverpool Theatre School, dreaming of West End stardom.

Lorelei Beckett, 17, impressed in her audition, securing a place on the school's elite professional musical theatre training programme.

The former Austin Friars School pupil, who trained at Carlisle Dance Academy and StagedRight, is stepping closer to her dream of a West End career.

Lorelei is aiming to join the long list of successful Liverpool Theatre School graduates who can be seen in hit shows such as SIX, Blood Brothers, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, and the West End adaptation of Frozen.

Principal, Maxine Ellis, commended Lorelei’s exceptional performance at the audition.

According to Maxine, Lorelei's natural talent and genuine passion for musical theatre left them "blown away".

She said: “We were blown away by Lorelei’s performance during the auditions. She clearly has a real passion for musical theatre and plenty of natural talent.

“As an extremely gifted young performer, Lorelei is well deserving of a place on the professional musical theatre training programme at Liverpool Theatre School and we’re looking forward to helping her prepare for an exciting career in the industry.”

Lorelei’s performing journey began when she was just five years old.

She said: “I was so happy when I found out I’d been accepted onto the Level 6 musical theatre course at Liverpool Theatre School.

"My dream is to perform on the West End, so having the opportunity to train professionally is incredible. I feel very lucky and excited about my new adventure.”

Patrons of Liverpool Theatre School include dance legend Wayne Sleep, OBE, and revered theatre producer, Bill Kenwright, CBE.

Aiming to prepare students for a professional career in performing arts, the school offers Trinity and BTEC qualifications in dance, musical theatre and acting.

This Ofsted ‘outstanding’ rated school regularly stages shows at local theatres, with final year students having the opportunity to perform in front of an audience of industry influencers on the West End stage.

The institution makes professional training accessible through fully-funded places and bursaries, such as the Sir Ken Dodd Scholarship and the Dance and Drama Awards (DaDAs).