A TALENTED Spennymoor teenager has won a place in a national theatre group which counts Pop Idol's Zoe Birkett, from Darlington, among its illustrious former members.

Nicola Durkin, 15, has been selected by the National Youth Music Theatre to join the cast of The Generator, a platform for some of the world's top theatre practitioners.

More than 2,000 young people, aged ten to 19, auditioned for places with the company in January.

Those who were successful were invited to London, where the final casts for the group's projects were chosen.

Past members include Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell and actor Jude Law.

Nicola now has to raise £500 to cover her accommodation and living costs while rehearsing and performing.

She has already appeared in many shows with Spennymoor Youth Theatre Group, Durham County Youth Company and Durham Youth Music Theatre, and performs every year in the Joanne Banks dance show.

She is not the only talented member of her family, because sister Natalie has been put on the reserve list for the NYMT's production of The Late Sleepers, at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle.

The Generator will be developed through rehearsals at Easter and over the summer in Edinburgh, culminating in two performances.

To help Nicola with sponsorship, contact her on (01388) 819005.