IT'S a brand new ballet inspired by a book written by The Prince of Wales and it will feature young Verwood dancer Christopher Linda in the leading role.

The Old Man of Lochnagar will be premiered by The National Youth Ballet at Sadler's Wells tomorrow and then performed at Leatherhead Theatre, Surrey, from October 24-27.

Christopher, 17, successfully auditioned against 800 students to take the role.

Aged 21, The Prince of Wales wrote a short story to entertain his brothers, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, while on a family holiday.

The book tells the tale of a man who goes on an extraordinary journey travelling the depths of Lochnagar, and later soaring the skies on the back of an eagle. The book was published and went on to be the well-loved children's book The Old Man of Lochnagar.

Twenty-seven years after it was written Jill Tookey, founder and artistic director of the national youth ballet, wrote to the Prince to ask permission to create a ballet based on his story. HRH happily gave permission and the ballet will headline the NYB's 20th anniversary season.

The Prince of Wales has supplied a voiceover to open the ballet, in which he reads the first paragraph of the book, which begins: "Not all that long ago, when children were even smaller and people had especially hairy knees, there lived an old man of Lochnagar."

Christopher Linda, who danced from the age of three at Murilova Ballet School in Broadstone, is now in his final year at The Arts Educational School, Tring Park.

Thrilled to be dancing the part of the Old Man he said: "It's very strange to think that this character started life in the future King's head, and now I'm playing the embodiment of that thought. I hope that I can do the character justice on stage. It is going to be a brilliant performance this year. You can tell that a lot of hard work has been put into the piece."

Like all the members of NYB, he is very excited about performing on a big London stage in what promises to be a stunning showcase of young talent.

A BBC documentary is currently in production about the making of the ballet which is expected to air later this year.