A 14-year-old girl is devastated after being forced to turn down a lead role in a top musical because she has broken her leg in three places.

Sophie Wysoczanski beat hundreds of young hopefuls to win the part of Bet in the West End musical Oliver! which comes to the Alhambra in July.

Tragedy struck when the Benton Park school girl tripped on a skateboard and she now faces three months in plaster.

"Sophie is heartbroken about having to give up her part," said Sophie's mum, Debbie.

"She is so dedicated and her life revolves around her music, dancing and acting and she was so excited when she won the part of Bet.

"It's the only lead role for a young girl in the musical. Sophie has been in Stage 84 productions before but never a national production like Oliver!

"She hasn't been eating since she did it and we think it's the shock of the accident and the fact she's so upset about missing out on her part."

The incident happened when Sophie went out to play with friends two weeks ago near her home in Calverley and stepped on a skateboard which slipped from under her feet.

Doctors at Leeds General Infirmary spent three hours in the operating theatre trying to set the bone in her leg.

"It was a really nasty break and even now the doctors think they might have to put a metal plate in her leg," said Mrs Wysoczanski.

"At first we thought she would only be in plaster for three or four weeks but we didn't realise how serious it was.

"Sophie was totally devastated when we told her it would be three months. She's in plaster up to her thigh and is hobbling around on crutches.

"We wrote to the casting director of Oliver! who wrote us a lovely letter saying they were very sad Sophie couldn't take part as they really wanted her."

Sophie is still hoping to appear in Stage 84's production Showcase at Bingley Arts Centre in June. Stage 84 say she will still have a part in their annual show and can sing her solo sitting down.

Principal Val Jackson said: "Sophie has got a beautiful voice and we're so disappointed for her. She still turned up at rehearsals despite her leg being in plaster and she will sing a solo at our production in Bingley next month."

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