TEN-year-old Liberty Cheesman has pipped 4,000 children to the post by landing a leading role in Mary Poppins, the latest West End musical hit.

Liberty, from Bromyard, got through to the final stages of auditions in London in May this year but was told she was too small to play the part.

Then, out of the blue, her mother Alexis received an e-mail asking if she could return for a further audition.

"She was thoroughly dejected when she was turned down. But we had an e-mail about three weeks ago asking her to go back," said Mrs Cheesman.

Liberty will play the part of Jane Banks, one of the children looked after by Mary Poppins. She is expected to take the stage at Prince Edward Theatre around Christmastime.