A TEENAGER is a step closer to seeing his acting dream come true.

Elliott Francis, 13, from Ingleby Barwick, near Middlesbrough, saw a feature on Blue Peter, about auditions for the West End production of Oliver, when he was eight.

He persuaded his parents to take him to Edinburgh for the auditions and was eventually offered a place in Fagin's gang at the Palladium Theatre, in London.

Unfortunately, his mother, Sue, was due to go into hospital and they had to turn down the part.

Two years later, Elliott was recalled for more auditions, but this time he had just been in hospital himself to have his appendix out, and failed to win a part.

It seemed like his chances were over until he heard about auditions for Oliver closer to home. Teesside Operatic are putting on a production of Oliver from, April 2 to 7, 2001, at Middlesbrough Theatre, offered Elliott the lead role.

Mrs Francis said: "Elliott would go to rehearsals every night if he could. He spends ages practising the songs already. As he is 13 now, time was fast running out for him."

Tracy Hindmarsh, principal at Stagecoach Yarm Afternoon School, where Elliott is a student said: "I am so pleased for Elliott. The loss of such a performance opportunity at such a young age was hard to bear for him, but I know that now he will feel like it is a story with a happy ending."