YOUNG Lucy Phillips' dream came true when she beat thousands of other hopefuls to a place in the National Youth Theatre.

The 15-year-old Brynmawr Comprehensive pupil auditioned in Cardiff for the hotly-contested post in December, and the National Youth Theatre has invited her for a five-week production in Manchester.

So far she's already gone a long way towards raising the £585 needed, with PC Industrial Cleaners giving her a sizable donation.

"I was completely thrilled when I got accepted," said Ms Phillips, who got into amateur dramatics at the age of seven and recently starred in a local drama production of Les Miserable.

"It's been my dream to get in, because you get such a buzz when you're on stage. I was also spotted by a London agent recently, so they've signed me up."

The young star is the second local success from Blaenau Gwent, after Cwm teenager Josh Lewis made the grade for the Welsh National Youth Opera.