A BUDDING young actress from West Devon has been selected to attend a course in London with a leading theatre company.
Sixteen-year-old Charlotte Simkins, from Buckland Monachorum, will head off to the capital next month for a fortnight treading the boards with the National Youth Theatre.
Charlotte, a member of the Theatre Royal?s Young Company, was one of just 400 hopefuls to be chosen from 3,000 nationally.
She said she was looking forward to the experience, but did not know what to expect.
?I?m really excited, but I don?t know anyone who has done it before so I haven?t got a clue what it?s going to be like,? she said.
Charlotte, who attends school in Plymouth, started acting at the tender age of eight with a performing arts group in Tavistock.
She recently completed her GCSE exams and plans to do A-levels in English, French and, of course, theatre studies.
She said: ?I first became interested in acting at a very young age because my mum and dad were always involved in the theatre.
?I would like to continue with theatre studies at University, and my ultimately goal would be to make it as a professional actress.?
Charlotte said she now hoped to raise some funds to pay for the costs of the specialist tuition she will receive in London, and her accommodation in Highgate.
Anyone who would like to sponsor Charlotte can contact her by telephoning 01822 854724.