Brandon Harrop-Lea, of South Way, has been picked to play Oliver Twist at Brighton's Theatre Royal.

The performance, being staged by the Brighton Theatre Group, will be the 11-year-old's first major performance.

His aunt Jodie Harrop said: 'He is starting to get a bit nervous now, he's not one to show his nerves but he said to me last week, "Jodie we've only got four weeks".'

Brandon, who is in year 6 at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Rottingdean, started drama three years ago at Jodie's school, M and J Theatre Arts, Woodingdean .

Jodie said: 'He wanted to join the Brighton Theatre group so he did a few shows with them, a few shows with me and he really loved that experience.

'This is the first major role he's ever played.

'I said to him "go for it, it doesn't matter if you don't get it", he went for it and they loved him and he got the part.

'It has been a shock for everybody really.'

Brandon is one of two Olivers in the show as children can only perform four days in a week.

He will also have help from another local newcomer as Alfie, an eight-year-old English Bull Terrier from Telscombe Cliffs takes the role of Bill Sikes' dog Bullseye.

His owner, Justin Moore, of Central Avenue, said: 'I was down my local pub that I go to with my dogs and this woman saw Alfie and said "we're doing Oliver can we use him?".

'He's been down for a couple of photo shoots and to meet the children and he has to start going to rehearsals soon, but he's pretty good really, he's well behaved.'

Oliver! is directed by journalist and radio presenter Richard Lindfield and will run at the Theatre Royal Brighton from April 15 – 19.