A YOUNG actress is to follow in the footsteps of some of the country's most renowned entertainers after winning a place at a prestigious performing arts school.

Olivia-Sian Evans, of Rawcliffe Croft, is living proof that Britain's Got Talent after winning a place at Arts Educational School in Chiswick, London.

Former students of the school include Julie Andrews, Sarah Brightman, Martin Clunes, Nigel Havers, Jane Seymour and Will Young.

Olivia-Sian said: "It's really hard to get into. There are basically three schools in the country that do the triple-threat course - you have to be good at singing, dancing and acting. There are only 20 places and thousands apply."

Arts Educational is so difficult to get into that Olivia has auditioned twice before and not been successful, but this time it was third time lucky. The 21-year-old will spend the next three years honing the skills she has acquired so far.

She is no stranger to the boards, having trodden them as Princess Yasmin in York Opera House's 2006 pantomime season.

She has played Nancy in Oliver! and has also been part of York Musical Theatre Company.

But the big London shows are her ultimate goal.

She said: "I really want to be in the West End and the school has a high percentage of its students getting into the West End. It is also really good at getting people agents.

"We have a big musical showpiece in the third year which agents come to watch."

But one obstacle for the former Huntington School pupil is the school's fees.

Arts Educational charges £10,635 per year and although Olivia-Sian is on a reserve list for funding it is highly unlikely she will receive any.

To this end, she is asking that anyone who can make a donation or help with sponsorship email her at fraggle-sianevans@hotmail.com.