A BIRKBY student is aiming for West End success after being accepted by one of the top musical theatre schools in the country.

Talented Rosie O’Hare, 18, is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Julie Andrews, Nigel Havers, Bonnie Langford and Will Young when she takes up her place at Arts Educational Schools London next year.

But first, the New College student must raise a staggering £35,000 to cover her three-year musical theatre course fees.

Her parents Andrea and Peter, of Clay Butts, were hopeful that scholarship funding would help their musical teenager fulfil her dream.

Now, with Government cuts looming, it looks likely they may be left to pick up the bill.

Rosie said: “It is something I am so passionate about and I couldn’t believe it when I got in after my first audition.

“I was hoping to get a scholarship, but even the school doesn’t know if they will be offering any now.

“There are a lot of ways to get funding so we will have to wait and see what happens.

“I think it is ridiculous though. There should not be such a big jump in course fees for someone doing musical theatre compared with someone doing psychology, for example.

“It will make these sorts of courses elitist if they stop doing scholarships and they will just be for people who can afford them.

“It’s unfair for those who have so much talent.”

Rosie started dancing at the Adele Taylor School of Dance at the age of three.

She has also developed her singing and drama skills at the Heavy Arts Theatre company, based in Moldgreen, over the last four year and has taken lead roles in several shows at the Lawrence Batley Theatre.

She is currently rehearsing for a main part in The Wedding Singer, to be staged at LBT next February.

Parents Andrea and Peter are both teachers and incredibly proud of her daughter’s success.

Mum Andrea said: “When I heard Rosie had got in, I couldn’t believe it. I was just bursting with pride.

“There always has to be a catch and it is the funding issue. £11,500 a year for three years and that’s before we even start thinking about living costs.

“It would be tragic if Rosie had to give up her place because of a lack of funding.

“We are obviously saving hard and have a little bit put aside, but if anyone knows of any business or company that sponsors students to do training in theatre we would be extremely grateful for suggestions.”

Anyone who can help is asked to email alfohare@googlemail.com.