A STUDENT has designs on a career in the theatre after being offered a place with a top drama group.

Kate Potter, 18, from Hurworth, near Darlington, is to spend nine weeks with the National Youth Theatre (NYT) as a set designer.

She was one of only 180 people to be taken on by the London company this year out of nearly 4,000 people who auditioned nationally.

Kate, who is studying theatre, English and art at Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, will be travelling to London in July.

She will have one week of training, followed by eight weeks working on a production of Nicholas Nickleby.

Kate, who will be going to the University of North London on a theatre studies course in September, has previous experience as a set designer at the Civic Theatre for Darlington Operatic Society, the Step Theatre Company and Darlington Youth Theatre.

She said: "I really want to be a set designer and this will be a good thing for my CV."

Kate needs to raise £2,000 to help with accommodation, travel and living expenses while with the NYT in London. Anyone who would like to sponsor her can contact her on 07947 177640.