A TALENTED dancer from the North-East is to audition for the role of Billy Elliot on the West End stage.

Ten-year-old James Mawson, from the former pit community of Stanley, County Durham, is travelling to London in a bid to win the part made famous by Jamie Bell.

He is hoping to win the role of the miner’s son who becomes a ballet dancer in the award-winning theatre land show.

James is one of 30 hopefuls trying out at RADA on Saturday

His mother, Janet Mawson, of Mowlan Drive, said: “He has worked really hard and is hoping that he is selected for Billy.

“All of his family are supporting him and wish him good luck at London.”

James, who has been dancing since the age of three, has competed in numerous competitions up and down the country and won several trophies.

He attends Cada Dance Academy in Sunderland and Quiletti's School of Dance in Edinburgh and also Newcastle Dance Centre where he recently achieved Gold with Honours for freestyle, hip hop and street.

James has also had to learn tap and ballet and has just finished appearing in Putting on the Ritz at the People's Theatre in Newcastle.

Mrs Mawson, a credit controller, said: “We hope this will take him on the next level if he wants to look at pursuing this as a career.”