AN aspiring West End star from Burnley is to spend six months performing on a cruise ship around the Mediterranean.

Stephanie Morville, 21, will perform twice a night as the lead singer on the ship.

She leaves on May 23, and hopes the trip will be her big break as she aims to achieve her dream of performing to thousands in the West End.

She said: “I’m really excited. I can’t wait to get going. It will be a lot of hard work, but it is a great opportunity.”

Stephanie, of Applecross Drive, was spotted by cruise ship bosses while performing for Phil Winston’s Theatreworks College, in Blackpool, where she has studied for three years.

“I was approached and asked to go last year, but I couldn’t go during my second year at college, so I had to wait until now but, thankfully, they have asked me again.

“I’ve been spending half-a-week in Burnley and half-a-week in Blackpool while I have been at the college.”

Stephanie has been singing and dancing she was seven, and has played the lead role in several theatre productions, performed in South Pacific in Manchester, and has sung at the Royal Albert Hall.

She said: “I have been doing it for years and this is always what I have wanted to do.

“I’ve had some good experiences so far this, but this should be great.

“My dream is to get into musical theatre, so that is what I will be aiming for when I get back.”