PUPILS at a North Yorkshire girls’ school are preparing for their spot in the limelight.

Staff and students from Queen Mary’s School in Topcliffe, Thirsk have been rehearsing for several months ahead of their production of Annie next week.

A spokeswoman for the school said: "Pupils at a leading North Yorkshire girls' school are taking a step back to the United States of the 1930s as they rehearse for their latest production.

"The Year 7 girls are staging the popular musical which sees young orphan Annie, triumph over adversity with lots of adventures and heartache along the way."

Twenty-nine girls are involved in the musical play and the title role is played by Florida-born Tess Silknitter.

Polly Barker takes the role of Miss Hannigan who runs the orphanage and Olivia Surtees plays Oliver Warbucks, Annie's saviour.

The director of the production is Miss Anthea Shepherdson, who says the girls are enjoying learning the Broadway musical which includes well known songs like "Tomorrow" and "It's the Hard Knock Life".

They have also been busy designing and making the scenery.

The performances take place on May 24 and 26 in the school's Great Hall.

Parents and friends are welcome, and there will be a collection.