SHEBBEAR COLLEGE can boast its very own star in the making as student Sophy Ansell takes to the stage with the cast of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The West End production comes to Barnstaple as part of its national tour this month and Sophy will be treading the boards with the choir.

The talented nine-year-old from Shebbear is a member of Stagecoach Theatre Arts School where she is put through her singing, dancing and acting paces every Saturday morning.

She also takes drama lessons at Shebbear College and can be seen on stage at the Barnstaple and North Devon Music and Arts festival each year.

Her parents said: ?It is a wonderful opportunity for Sophy to take part in a show such as this, and she is definitely keen as she has been driving us mad practising all 18 songs every night for weeks!

?The college have been very supportive and are delighted that she is fortunate enough to gain such an experience.?

And what of the young star herself?

Sophy said: ?I am really excited about being in Joseph because I get to be on stage with famous people ? and miss a week of school!?