A WINDERMERE School pupil is one of 560 young people across the country to make it into the prestigious National Youth Theatre.

Miles Blanch, 15, auditioned for the leading youth arts organisation earlier this year and beat other 14 to 25-year- old thespians into the limelight.

His mum Susan Blanch said: “Miles has played a wide range of parts in serious drama and musicals but one of his main interests is in Shakespeare.

“His ambition is to be part of the Royal Shakespeare Company, but he wouldn't say no to playing Dr Who!”

The National Youth Theatre was the first in the world and was set up to train talented youngsters in performance and technical theatre skills.

Miles will join the world-renowned alumni that includes Dame Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig, Colin Firth, Daniel Day-Lewis, Matt Smith plus comedy stars Catherine Tate, David Walliams and Matt Lucas.

To secure his place, Miles performed a monologue from John Godber's play Teechers and took part in a workshop.

Miles said he was inspired and supported by his drama teacher Holly Byrom and his former drama teacher Les Williams.

The music scholar also runs a Shakespeare company at school and he has gained a place this summer on the Globe Theatre Young Shakespeare Actor's Summer School.

Currently studying for GCSEs, Miles will also be ‘madly’ fundraising before heading to London to attend the National Youth Theatre acting summer school in August.

“If you see him selling all his belongings at car boot sales, please buy them!” added Mrs Blanch.