Our Heroes: Lorna's got talent but needs funding

TALENTED teenager Lorna Harvey-Oates is set to become the youngest pupil at an exclusive London performing arts school.

The 16-year-old, of Cornfield Road, Biddulph, has become one of just 10 people to be given a place at the world-famous Italia Conti Arts Centre in London.

But her future is still in doubt because her family is struggling to find £15,000 to pay for the three-year course, which involves singing, dancing and acting.

The young performer has received some financial support from Italia Conti, but the academy only provides grants to those aged 18 and over.

Lorna said: "We're struggling because I'm so young. At the moment we don't know what to do and are applying for lots of grants."

Mother Colette Harvey-Oates said: "We've been trying to find sponsors for months."

Colette, a 46-year-old lunchtime supervisor at English Martyr's Primary School, Biddulph, added: "Lorna's mature enough to act like an 18-year-old, why can't they treat her like one and consider her for a grant?"

Father Simon Harvey-Oates, a 44-year-old mortgage broker, is also desperately hoping for sponsorship. He said: "This girl is dynamite; she is the next best thing to come out of Staffordshire."

Simon and Colette are so proud of their daughter's achievement that they have nominated Lorna for a Sentinel Our Heroes Award in the Bright Young Thing category.

Lorna, a student at St Margaret Ward School, Tunstall, received her first big break in ITV's Cold Blood.

Since playing a young version of Matthew Kelly's sister in the TV thriller, she has gone on to feature in numerous programmes including Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, Waterloo Road and Britannia High.

Lorna started off on the stage and fondly recalls appearing in Theatre for Fun's production of Oklahoma at the Mitchell Memorial Theatre, in Hanley, when she was 13.

Lorna applied to the academy back in November and auditioned in January.

She says being offered a place at Italia Conti took her by surprise. She added: "I was quite shocked as this was the first school I applied for.

"I never thought I'd get it."

Anyone wishing to help with sponsorship is asked to contact them on 07966 220029.

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