A Frinton schoolgirl is bidding "so long, farewell" to the coast and heading for the West End.

Ten-year-old Elizabeth Whybrew is making her West End debut in the classic musical The Sound of Music.

Elizabeth, of Third Avenue, Frinton, will be appearing as Louisa von Trapp at the London Palladium until the end of November.

Proud mum Helen Whybrew said Elizabeth will perform in the box office hit for two or three nights a week.

The St Philomena's School pupil has already shown that singing is one of her favourite things.

She has sung with the Frinton school's award-winning choir, has been the narrator in its production of Joseph at the Columbine Centre in Walton and has starred in the Winter Special variety show at Clacton's West Cliff Theatre, where she sung a solo with her choir.

The talented youngster has also appeared with the Emmanuel Church Drama group in Walton and has been dancing with the Stagestruck Academy in Frinton and appeared with them when they staged Grease.

Elizabeth went for auditions with 800 girls earlier this year and had four recalls before she landed her Sound of Music role.

Her mum said: "It is the first time anyone from our family has ever done something like this on this scale. Lizzie is so very excited and really looking forward to it all."

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