A KENDAL brother and sister have beaten off competition from some of the country's top drama schools to be awarded parts in a pantomime touring the UK next month.

Emily and Elliot Baxter have both been given parts in a professional production of classic panto, Aladdin, which will be performed in Kendal, Stoke-on-Trent and Liverpool over the Christmas period.

"The fact they're getting parts is amazing," said Graham Tudor, who ran the TrEAD drama group that trained the pair.

"We're really pleased because they're great kids. They have a really good work ethic."

Emily, 19, will play Slave of the Ring and The Genie of the Lamp while Elliot, 18, will play Wishee Washee in the production that will begin a three-day run at Kendal Town Hall on December 4.

The production will move onto Liverpool, when the pair will take a step back to focus on their studies, before reprising their roles when the panto goes to Stoke between December 17 and 20.

The pair both trained at TrEAD, held at Queen Katherine School, which is run by former West End star, Graham, and his wife and former Hollyoaks actress, Helen Noble.

TrEAD operates classes right across the North West and the pair went up against fellow pupils for the parts.

They also competed against pupils from the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA ), the Musical Theatre Academy (MTA) and the Guildford School of Acting.

"They did really well to get the parts," continued Graham.

"It's entirely deserved and lovely because they're brother and sister too."

The pair, both former Queen Katherine pupils who are now studying performing arts at Kendal College, have several acting credits to their name already, having appeared in both theatre and television.

This year Elliot played the part of Thomas Brown in BBC production, Harriet's Army, and last year was 'Young Niall Wallace' in an episode of the BBC's Silent Witness - both in lead roles.

Emily has cut her teeth in theatre, in the lead ensemble in last year's tread production, Jack and the Beanstalk, and as Maria in a production of Five Years Young in 2013.

Graham and Helen set up TrEAD in 2007, in Liverpool, before taking the school to Kendal in 2011, as well as to Cannock, Stoke and Wigan.

It trains youngsters aged from seven to 18.

Helen Noble is best-known for playing Abby Davies in Channel 4's Hollyoaks while Graham was a West End leading actor until injury , Graham Tudor who's credits include playing the title role of Joseph in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

"We set up TrEAD to give youngsters real, professional training," added Graham.

Tickets to Aladdin are selling fast but there are some available for two of the performances.

Visit www.treadproductions.net/box office or for group bookings of more than 50 contact 07739 289 995.