Actress Amy secures top student role

An East Riding schoolgirl has landed a place at a prestigious theatre school.

Amy Matthews, of Camerton, has been accepted into Italia Conti, Britain's oldest theatre arts training school.

The 16-year-old beat hundreds of entrants at the auditions for just 50 places.

She is hoping to follow in the footsteps of former Conti pupils including Kelly Brook, Leslie Ash, Patsy Kensit and Martine McCutcheon.

Amy, who is studying for 11 GCSEs, has also been accepted on to the National Youth Theatre's summer workshops.

The South Holderness Technology College pupil has dreamed of a stage career since an early age.

She said: "I've always wanted to be a performer since I was a little girl.

"I didn't expect to get in to Italia Conti on my first audition. I know how hard it is to get into the entertainment industry, so I'm overwhelmed."

She began training with the Lyn Wilson School of Dance in Hedon aged four and then with Northern Academy Of Performing Arts from the age of nine.

Last year, Amy won first place in the Hull and East Riding Speech and Drama Festival for a musical theatre duet.

She has achieved grade five in modern theatre and in tap and grade four in singing and musical theatre.

While studying for the three-year Performing Arts Diploma at Italia Conti, Amy will have the opportunity to perform at London theatres.

She is looking forward to returning home to perform in The Hired Man, originally directed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, at Hull Truck Theatre from August 5 to August 8.

Mum Kim Matthews, 43, said: "I'm very proud. Amy's worked so hard. She deserves this."

Kim said Amy has been rehearsing up to five nights a week as well as working part-time in a restaurant to fund her studies in London.

She said: "We're saving up and doing all we can, but if any local companies would like to sponsor her, we would be very grateful."