Young actress Frances Encell has landed a place at a prestigious acting academy in London.

The Horsforth schoolgirl beat 200 youngsters to play the role of Jemima in a production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Bradford’s Alhambra theatre last spring.

The ten-year-old, a pupil at the independent Froebelian School in Horsforth, has appeared in several TV shows including Emmerdale and The Royal.

She has now been offered a place at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in Marylebone where there are only 28 places available each year.

John Tranmer, head teacher at Froebelian, said: “We are so pleased for Frances. She is a very talented young actress and thoroughly deserves this fabulous opportunity.”

Her school drama teacher, Lorraine Taylor-Parker, said: “Frances has an infectious smile and is a natural performer.”