A STUDENT is celebrating winning a place at London drama School the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art - better known as Rada.

Leandra Ashton, 21, of Stanhope Road, Darlington, came through a series of tough auditions to win a place on a three-year acting degree course.

More than 1,200 students were auditioned and 34 selected for the course.

Leandra, a former pupil at Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, has recently graduated from Cambridge University having completed a languages degree.

She will have her fees paid for the duration of the three-year course, but has embarked on a fundraising drive to pay for her living costs in London.

The acting course begins at Rada in September and includes rehearsals and classes being held in the evenings and weekends, preventing students from taking part-time work.

Leandra said: "I have always wanted to work in the theatre and act.

"This is a dream come true."

Nicholas Barter, principal of Rada, said: "Leandra is a talented young woman, and anyone able to offer her financial help would do so in the knowledge that they are investing in the theatre of the future."

Anyone wanting to sponsor Leandra should contact 0775 2205238.