A TALENTED Sedbergh teenager is looking to make his mark at a prestigious performing arts school.

Sixteen-year-old Liam Ball, who attends Settlebeck School, has won through a rigorous selection process to gain a spot at the Brit School, London.

Celebrities who learned there include Adele, Amy Winehouse and Leona Lewis.

With dreams of the West End featuring high in his mind, Liam heads to the bright lights of the capital in August.

“When I found out I had been accepted my initial feelings were shock,” he said. “I was extremely surprised and it took a while to sink in.

“London is such an amazing place with a world of opportunities for a performer and I’'ve visited many times so I am very used to the hustle and bustle, but it will be very different to living in a little town like Sedbergh.

“I’m a little nervous but I’m sure once I settle in I’ll fit right in and won't want to leave.”

He was selected to attend an audition at the school in Selhurst before a full audition which saw him deliver his own pieces in dance, drama and singing.

“It was a painful wait for my final letter,” said Liam.

“I was checking the mailbox after school and sending many ‘still not heard’ messages to people until I received my acceptance letter.”

Liam started dancing at the age of six and has since been involved with performances at the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, and ballet, tap and jazz at Rigney Bank, Milnthorpe.

He also earned a place with the Cumbria Youth Dance Company for the last two years and was recently selected to train with The Centre of Advanced Training in Dance at the Lowry, Manchester.

He has also acted with Rose Group Theatre Company in Sedbergh and performed in numerous school productions.

On top of this, he has weekly singing lessons and for the past two years he has attended the West End Stage Summer School.

“My ultimate aim is just to be successful in what I love and I have realised that this is performing; be that a staring role on West End or dancing for the next big artist,” he said.

Liam will complete a two year BTEC Extended Diploma course in Musical Theatre, which will include training in singing, dancing and acting, and A2 Sociology.