Teenager Zoe Howlett is aiming for the stars after winning a place with the musical theatre troupe West End Kids.

Zoe Howlett, 16, joins the successful song and dance group following a tough audition process and trial period.

Zoe, who is a Year 11 pupil at Rainham Mark Grammar School, made her debut with the troupe at the weekend when she performed for thousands of people at Common People, a new music festival from the Bestival family, which was held on Southampton Common.

The young performer, from Canadian Avenue, Gillingham, has a busy summer performance schedule ahead of her, including performing at some huge events, including the Biggin Hill Festival of Flight, West End Live in Trafalgar Square, National Armed Forces Day in Guildford and Camp Bestival at Lulworth Castle.

“I can’t really believe that in a few weeks I will be on that very same stage, performing alongside the casts of West End shows in front of thousands of people." - Zoe

Zoe said: “I watched the West End Kids performing in Trafalgar Square last summer and I thought to myself how thrilling it must be to perform on such a big stage.

“I can’t really believe that in a few weeks I will be on that very same stage, performing alongside the casts of West End shows in front of thousands of people.

Martin Williams, the group’s founder and artistic director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Zoe to West End Kids. She is a talented young performer and we are confident she will be an asset to our troupe.”

He added: “Our audition process is thorough. To be part of our troupe you not only have to be a strong singer and dancer, but you have to be prepared to work hard.

“We are very demanding, but we know that talented kids love to be pushed hard and so that is what we do.”

West End Kids is a 20-strong elite musical theatre song and dance troupe based in central London which performs at major events and high-profile charity fundraisers. See www.westendkids.co.uk