STUDENTS from a successful Bournemouth stage school will be treading the boards in one of the region's best-loved pantomimes this Christmas.

LeAF Studio stage and screen school students Lauren Rutherford and Ellie Newton will join former student Lucy Hurst on stage at Poole's Lighthouse after making the leap into professional acting careers.

The teenagers have been selected as part of the senior chorus line of theatre's production of Peter Pan.

This flying start to their careers will see them acting alongside The Bill’s Christopher Ellison, who plays the dastardly Captain Hook, and Bluestone 42’s Jamie Quinn as Peter Pan.

The girls will have a familiar companion among the principal players – their drama coach Ally Cox plays Mrs Darling.

Executive principal of LeAF Academy, Gill Blanshard, said: "It is thrilling to see three of our students get this well-deserved chance to shine.

"The girls are all fantastic actors, singers and dancers and so it is no surprise to us they have been awarded these roles.

“It’s also wonderful that they have teamed up with Ally Cox who not only coaches them here at LeAF but also at the Poole Academy of Dance and Stagewise Performing Arts - she has really helped prepare them for this wonderful opportunity."

Lauren added: "Being part of Peter Pan has been such an exciting experience and I'm so grateful for the opportunity.

“There's nothing like watching and working alongside such talented, professional actors."

And Ellie said: "Being involved in this show has been a challenging, yet exciting experience. I have enjoyed every minute of our rehearsals and it is a privilege to be working with such a talented company. I'm very excited to start performing with them."