A PLACE at a top theatre school has been won by a local teenager.

Fourteen-year-old Verity Evans, from College Green, Droitwich Spa, competed against thousands of other youngsters to win a place at the Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in Lon-don.

Verity, who attends St Mary's Convent School, Worcester, has been dancing and acting since the age of six and is a member of the Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society's youth section.

She currently studies acting, singing and saxophone at St Mary's and dances at the Kirsty Purvis Dance School, in Droitwich.

Verity, who will have to wait until September before starting the course, said: "I am really excited and just want to get on and go. I have wanted to go to drama school since I was little. I never thought I would get in."

The audition to attend the theatre school lasted for six hours.

"She will do a two year GCSE course and then go on to study for a three-year performing arts diploma," explained her mother, Rachael.

Verity will now have to leave home and live in London.

"We are obviously a little apprehensive about her leaving home to live in London at 14, but it is a fantastic opportunity for her and a dream come true," said Mrs Evans, who - with husband Paul - runs the New England Country Store in Worcester and Kingfisher Nurseries in Bromsgrove.

"I have always wanted to go to stage school and my hope is to perform on a West End theatre stage," said Verity.