A BUDDING young Teignmouth actress has beaten off stiff competition to land a place on a prestigious theatre course.

Grace Ludlam, 15, a student at Teignmouth Community College, is 'over the moon', after impressing the judges at an audition, to be selected for a National Youth Theatre Junior Course at Easter next year.

Wendy Waites, the school's drama team leader, said: 'This is a massive achievement for somebody in Year 10, as the majority who win places are A level students.

'It is a very prestigious award, and we are delighted by her success.'

The theatre company revealed that competition for places had been extremely tough this year, with the highest number of applications on record.

Grace said she had always loved drama, and acting was her big love.

'I plan to study drama at university, and go on to a career in acting. It was a big step to decide to apply for an audition, as the youth theatre is such a prestigious organisation. I am over the moon that I have been accepted.'

The audition included a workshop where the panel judged how the candidates worked in a group, followed by individual auditions in front of a panel of two experts.

Grace used her monologue, which was part of the recent college production of Kes, followed by an interview with the panel, when she was able to show her love of, and commitment, to drama, and the importance of team and class work.