A TALENTED drama student has fought off stiff competition to win a major role in a hit show.

Jody Townend, 11, has landed a part in the West Yorkshire Playhouse production of Annie.

It is their big Christmas show and will be seen by thousands of people.

Jody, who trains with Huddersfield-based theatre school Exit 25, has beat 400 hopefuls to take to the stage in the hit musical.

Jody, of Scapegoat Hill, said: “I was nervous but excited in the auditions but it was great when I heard I am going to be in the show.

“I couldn’t wait to tell all my family and friends.”

Jody’s mum Michelle said: “She has been going to Exit 25 for six years.

“She loves singing and dancing and is very dedicated. This is her first professional part so she has done really well.

“She has worked hard and we are so proud of her.”

Jody will play an orphan in the production which whisks the audience back to 1930s New York and the search for Annie’s parents.

The show includes popular songs ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘Hard Knock Life’.

Jody, who will start Colne Valley High School in September, has recently taken her London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art exams.

Exit 25 Theatre School Principal Julie Fountain said: “I am really thrilled that Jody has won a place in the West Yorkshire Playhouse production of Annie.

“She truly deserves it, she has always shown a strong commitment to the group and her studies of acting, dancing and singing, and all the hard work has paid off.”

Earlier this year Exit 25, which also runs a group in Brighouse, performed the play ‘The Beauty Manifesto’ as part of the National Theatre Connections Festival at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Annie will be staged at the Quarry Theatre, Leeds from

November 2 to 21 January 2012.

For information call 0113 213 7700.