TWO arts students are preparing to perform in a musical later in the summer.

Sarah Warbey, 13, and Alex Robinson, eight, will spend three weeks in Surrey preparing for a three-night run of a musical version of Jane Eyre at the Epsom Playhouse in August.

The pair, who are students of the Stagecoach Theatre Arts Group, fought off stiff competition to earn their places in the show.

Sarah, from Darlington, and Alex, from Ingleby Barwick, will perform in the shows on August 16, 17 and 18. Auditions were held in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, for parts in the cast, which will number 60.

The musical has been written to form a showcase for Stagecoach's most talented students from around the country.

Alex is the youngest student in the cast, while Sarah won through as one of only a small number to receive a scholarship for the production.

None of the cast will know their roles until they arrive for rehearsals at the end of July.

Trudy Hindmarsh, principal of the Stagecoach school the girls attend, said: "This is the first time since we opened that we have had students eligible to audition.

"So, we are pleased to get any success whatsoever, but to supply the youngest student, and for another to win a scholarship, was an exciting bonus."