A Poole teenager looks set to see his name in lights after being signed up by the south’s first public stage school and a top talent agency from London.

At just 13-years-old William Hurst from Bearwood is already showing signs of forging a promising stage and screen career.

William will be one of the first students at the south’s first ever publicly-funded stage school, which opens at the LeAF Studio in Bournemouth this September.

And following a storming performance at last year’s Portsmouth Rock Challenge, the youngster was invited to audition for the London-based Top Talent Agency, which specialises in representing child and teenage actors.

William was one of just a handful to be picked from the hundreds who auditioned.

He said: “I really want to be an actor, it is my main goal, so I am thrilled I will be joining the stage school and also represented by the Top Talent Agency.

“I want to do it the right way and make sure I have all my academic qualifications behind me as I try to become an actor.

“The stage school will be perfect for me as it offers the right balance between performing and also doing your studies.”

William has been performing since he played Fagin in a primary schoolproduction of Oliver. Since then he has appeared in many school productions.

When he performed in the dance and drama section in Rock Challenge last summer – judge Warren Bacci said he showed great potential and invited him to audition for the Top Talent Agency.

Tracey Dulston, LeAF’s head of performing arts, said: “William is a natural born talent – and this is clear to anyone who sees him when he acts.

“We’re incredibly proud of him and delighted that he will be bringing his wonderful talent to our new stage school.”