YOUNG Tom Reed has proved that he is a natural talent by landing a major role in a North-East musical.

The seven-year-old, from Darlington, has been learning to dance and sing for only a few months, but has already impressed producers from the Redcar Operatic Society.

Tom, who is a pupil of St Bede's RC Primary School, in Darlington, auditioned for the musical Mame, which will be playing at the Middlesbrough Theatre, between May 21 and 26.

The judges were so impressed with Tom's performance that they offered him the role on the spot.

His father, Shaun, said: "I was so proud because he was auditioning for the role of a nine-year-old boy, and it was his first real audition.

"The judges were so impressed that they stopped him half way through the song and offered him the part."

Tom is not the only one in the family with a talent for performing - his sister Anna and mother Gillian are accomplished dancers.

Anna has won a clutch of awards since she took up dancing last year, and her mother has been involved in dance for 17 years.

Sales manager Shaun said "I'm going to get our two-year-old daughter some dancing lessons, and who knows - one day we might see all three of their names in lights on Broadway."

For more information on Mame, at Middlesbrough Theatre, call Malcolm Graham on (01642) 710193.