A YOUNG Pontypool actress is thanking her small stature and big talent for landing her a major theatrical role.

Ten-year-old Nicole Foxwell, who is just four feet four, from Freeholdland, Pontnewynydd, won the part of the shrunken granny in Roald Dahl's famous tale George's Marvellous Medicine.

She beat 60 fellow hopefuls for the part in the show, which is being taken on a nationwide tour after a successful run in the Midlands.

Nicole heard about the auditions at the Suzanne Sims school of dance where she trains. The Birmingham Theatre Company was looking for someone no taller than four feet four inches to play the part of the granny shrunk by her grandson George's fiendish concoction.

Nicole's mother Hazel sent her details off, and she attended an audition in Swansea. And her performance secured her the part for the Swansea shows in April. Her proud mum Hazel said: "The judges were bowled over by her. They were surprised by how she got into the character of the old lady so quickly."

Nicole said: "I can't describe how excited I am. It will be the biggest thing I have ever done."

Nicole's ambitions are well-known among her friends and teachers at her school, Pontnewynydd Primary.

"One of my teachers calls me Oscar because he says I will get an Oscar one day," she added.