A TALENTED teenage actor has been given her first big lead role.

Charlene Fairish has dreamt of treading the boards of theatres across the country since she was a toddler.

So it was a wish come true when she won the role of Maria in Durham Gala Theatre's summer 2003 production of West Side Story.

The Spennymoor Comprehensive School pupil will start rehearsals for the show in February and perform in front of an audience of more than 500.

The 15-year-old is no stranger to being in the limelight. She has been a dancer since she was five and has acted since she was eight.

She is a member of Spennymoor Youth Theatre Group, with whom she recently appeared in Fame at Her Majesty's Theatre, London, and a member of the National Youth Music and Theatre Group.

She also teaches dance at the Joanne Banks Dancers studio in Middlestone Moor.

But next summer's show is by far the biggest achievement for Charlene.

She said: "This is my first lead role and I'm looking forward to it. I really enjoy dancing but my absolute dream is to act professionally in the West End one day."