A STAGESTRUCK young girl is leaving her local school in County Durham to pursue her dream of showbiz stardom.

Eight-year-old Ritzy Keaveny will say goodbye to friends at Bowburn Juniors, near Durham, at the end of term after coming through auditions to win a place at the prestigious Stonelands Performing Arts School, in Hove, Sussex.

Ritzy is so keen for stage success that she is also prepared to leave mother Janis, ten-year-old sister, Coco, and five-year-old twins, sister Soya and brother Tarot, back home in Bowburn to attend the 60-place boarding school on the South Coast.

Mrs Keaveny said: "She's obviously going to miss her sisters and brother, and two or three of her really close school friends, but she is adamant that she's going to make it. She knows it's the only way forward and it's an offer she can't refuse.

"It really will give her more time, because at the moment she goes to school and has her homework and goes singing and dancing on an evening, and all day on Saturday.

"Then, on Sundays, she attends dancing competitions or exams.

"At Stonelands, they mix the academic lessons with singing, dancing and acting during the school day, so she will have more time to be with her friends on an evening."

Ritzy, whose idol is Gene Kelly, has already got the stage bug, having performed in shows in Manchester and Wakefield, as well as danced in numerous events.

She is due to start at Stonelands in September, but the offer included a bursary of only one-third of the school fees, leaving Janis to meet the rest of the cost.

Mrs Keaveny said it was too good an opportunity to turn down, but is seeking support from local businesses to raise the other two-thirds of the fees. Anyone able to help can call her on 0191-377 9207.