A YOUNG singer is hoping her first professional performace will kick-start her career. Ambitious Sarah Ditchburn said she was "absolutely ecstatic" about her forthcoming appearance at the Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham.

The 22-year-old will be performing with the newly-formed Wonderful West End theatre company and will not only get to belt out her favourite West End tunes, such as Easy Terms from Blood Brothers, but will perform alongside equally talented artists and then take off on a national tour.

"It's the first big professional musical I've been in," she said.

The former Nunnery Wood High School student, who lives in Norton Close, off Bath Road, Worcester, only began to hone her talents at the age of 16.

"I was in Year 10 at school and I basically just picked what my best friend wanted to do. I then I realised I really wanted to do it, too.

"When I got to college I started to do it properly."

As a member of Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society she played Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar. She has also starred in Godspell, Salad Days, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown and Fiddler On The Roof.

This show, The Best Of The West End, brings together a selection of the most loved songs from the West End, Broadway and beyond. It promises to be an extremely sophisticated night out, the singers accompanied by piano and cello rather than a big band. Sarah, who recently took part in the Me And My Shadow national tour, is hoping that Wonderful West End will lead her to further projects.

"I probably won't ever get the chance to but I'd love to be in Wicked," she said.

Starring alongside Sarah will be her singing teacher Ria Keen, who is also from Worcester.

The 45-year-old, of Lansdowne Road, has had an incredible career in the arts and cites singing with Elvis Presley's backing singers as one of the highlights.

Best Of The West End is at The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, until Sunday, March 4. To book or call 0121 3032323.