A TEENAGER is celebrating after winning a place at a top London theatre school.

Joanne Roots, 19, from Stockton, beat off thousands of other youngsters to secure a place to study musical theatre at the London Studios.

Her mother, Linda, has been involved in the Centre Stage performing arts group in Eaglescliffe for some time, but her daughter took up the hobby when the amateur dramatics group put on The Sound of Music.

There were concerns that Joanne would not be able to study at the school because of difficulties in raising the money needed to fund the course.

Mrs Roots said: "Up until a fortnight ago we did not know whether Joanne was going to be able to go to London, but I would like to say a big thank you to all those who have helped us out."

The course fees cost £9,000 a year and Mrs Roots reckons after the family have taken into account living costs it will cost about £14,000 a year.

She said: "Without help from a number of organisations and family this would maybe not have been possible. The LEA are also helping towards the costs.

"Joanne is very excited and can't wait to start on Monday. I am very proud of her, but I am a little sad because I will miss her."