A BLACKPOOL schoolgirl has been plucked from obscurity to play the world's most famous orphan in the stage version of Annie.

Amy Edwards, 12, of South Park Drive, is to play the lead in the musical, staged by North West-based Imagine Productions, at Preston's Charter Theatre next month.

Despite deciding to turn up to auditions on the spur of the moment, the Year 7 pupil at St Mary's High School beat more than 500 young performers to the role.

The show's producers are now tipping the talented youngster -- who shares the lead with Preston actor, Rebecca Eastham -- for a future in showbusiness.

But Amy -- who attends the Windmill School of Dancing in the resort -- has got her feet firmly on the ground.

Amy said: "I was very happy to be chosen to play Annie, I couldn't believe it when I got the part.

"So far, it's been really good fun because I've always dreamed of becoming a West End singer or actress and I've made loads of new friends.

"This is the first time I've appeared in a professional production.

"I'm not really nervous but I know that there is a lot of hard work still to be done before we're ready to go on stage."

A spokesman for the production said: "Amy has got a remarkable talent and was a clear choice for the part during the auditions.

"She's coped really well with the demands of the show and we're expecting bigger and better things to come from her."