TOP student Phil Chamberlin has won a new role at a leading drama school.

After a year of studying science at the City of Sunderland College, Phil, 19, of Grindon, Sunderland, decided to take to the stage.

He said: "Science just wasn't for me. I still wanted to do an academic course though, and drama sounded like fun. The college was the only place offering both A-level and Btec on the subject, so I went for it."

Phil has now finished a Btec national diploma in drama at the college and won a place at the prestigious East 15 Drama School at Loughton, Essex.

He said: "I decided to give it a shot and applied for East 15, even though I still had something to fall back on. I was delighted with the news."

Phil gained valuable stage experience by taking part in the college's productions, and is now ready for a bigger stage. He said: "The course at the college was excellent. It prepared me extremely well for a career in drama, and the tutors and staff were all very supportive."