A Darlington student is celebrating a dramatic double achievement.

Drama student Alicia McEnzie, 18, of Eastmount Road, has been selected to join the National Youth Music Theatre this summer for its two-month tour of Japan.

Alicia is already a member of the National Youth Theatre, making her one of the few students in the country to belong to both theatre groups for young people.

She joined the Stagecoach Theatre Arts school in Darlington three years ago, and has been involved in the National Youth Theatre for two years - even singing with the company in the Royal Albert Hall earlier this year.

Busy Alicia is also the student president at Queen Elizabeth sixth form college in Darlington, where she is studying for A-levels in theatre studies, music, French and general studies.

As part of the National Youth Music Theatre, she will take part in Pendragon, a new musical production based on the legend of King Arthur. "I got given a leaflet about it, phoned up and asked for an audition," she said.

"They were holding auditions all over the country and I went to one at York. Then I had to go to London for the last two rounds of the auditions."

After a second, five-hour audition in London, she was told she had won a place on the tour of the Far East. "I was delighted - really pleased," she said. She does not yet know which role she will be playing.

Rehearsals start in April, and the group will tour Japan in July and August, when exams are over.

She is appealing for sponsorship to cover the costs of her trip. "I have to raise £500 for food and accommodation, and then there's my travel expenses as well, which will be about £300," she said. Anyone who can help Alicia should contact her on 01325 488327