A YOUNG girl from York who has performed in two major West End shows has been nominated for a regional award.

Agatha Meehan has been put forward for Young Achiever of the Year in the 2019 Yorkshire Choice Awards, for her leading roles in the productions.

Agatha played band manager Summer Hathaway in School Of Rock –The Musical at the New London Theatre, Drury Lane when she was nine, and was in Annie at the Piccadilly Theatre, London, at the age of ten.

Now 11, Agatha is back in York and settling into All Saints RC School.

Her parents Ray and Katharine said they were hugely proud of their daughter’s success.

Ray said: “I’m really proud. For someone of such a young age to get a leading role in the West End at the age of nine, then Annie at 10, a lot of people would cut their right arm off for that kind of role, and she’s had two.

“It’s all come from her; we’re not from a stage background, not an acting or singing family. It’s all down to her hard work.

"We’re all very proud to have her recognised, it all came out of her belief.”

Katharine said children had written to Agatha, who previously attended St George's RC School, and told her she had inspired them to act, and she had remained modest and kind throughout her success.

She said: “She has an agent and is hoping to get into TV or film but she’s busy being a normal kid back at secondary school.

“She seems to have an inner strength that just gets her through things.

"Auditioning isn’t easy, but she’s brilliant and just takes it in her stride.”

Ray said: “It was the best thing she’s ever done, she’s absolutely loved it.”

Katharine added: “It’s amazing she achieved what she did at such a young age with that confidence.

“The award is one of those things. We’re so proud of the fact that she’s been recognised.”

To find out more about the awards, or to vote, go to yorkshirechoiceawards.co.uk/votehere