YOUNGSTERS used to long to leave home to join a circus - and for one Richmond teenager, that dream has come true showbiz-style.

Robin Mills, 15, is to appear in a new production of the musical Barnum after being chosen from thousands of hopefuls.

Robin, a student at Richmond School, leaves tomorrow for Epsom Playhouse, in Surrey, for three weeks of rehearsals before opening night on August 15.

He was among 70 young performers chosen from 380 Stagecoach drama schools across the UK to take part in the production, which traces the career of Victorian circus master Phineas Taylor Barnum.

Robin, a regular at the Darlington Stagecoach school every Saturday for more than four years, will not know exactly what the role entails until the first day of rehearsals.

His audition in Harrogate involved drama, song and dance, and he is also likely to have to perform handstands, cartwheels and juggling.

"We rehearse for two weeks, then there is a week of dress and technical rehearsals, followed by five performances - two matinees and three evenings," said Robin, who counts Pop Idols star Zoe Birkett, from Darlington, among his friends.

"I love performing, especially dancing, but I don't know if I will make it my career. I might do a degree after my A-Levels and I am interested in training as a teacher, having just completed work experience at Richmond Methodist school."

Trudy Hindmarch, principal of Darlington Stagecoach school, said: "Last year was the first time that we had students eligible to be auditioned for parts in the London shows, and Sarah Warbey won through to a production of Jane Eyre. She had an absolutely brilliant time.

"Robin shares classes with Sarah and was encouraged to apply himself by her enthusiasm for the project."

Sarah went on to gain a place at the National Youth Music Theatre this year and appears at the Newcastle Theatre Royal in August.