A DANCE student has been offered a place at one of the top performing arts schools in the country, but needs to fund major tuition fees.

Megan Armstrong, 18, has been accepted on a three-year musical theatre course at the Arts Educational Schools London.

Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber is the school’s president, and former students include Julie Andrews, Darcey Bussell and Martin Clunes.

Megan, who is from Windle and trains at the Elizabeth Hill School of Dance Drama, had to undergo a rigorous audition process, with a day of singing, dancing, acting and interviews.

She was one of only 48 students to be offered a place out of more than one thousand hopefuls.

The former Rainford High School pupil now needs to meet fees of £11,500 a year, and is looking to obtain a grant or sponsorship.

Because of Government cuts, performing arts grants and bursaries have stopped.

Megan, the sister of Saints rugby league player Tom, could be entitled to a Dance and Drama Award, which is funded by the Government but awarded by the school.

This would cover the majority of her tuition fees, but only a small number are given out each year, and they are not means-tested, being awarded on merit and achievement rather than household income.

This system means affluent families could get the award, leaving others unable to find funding.

Megan said: “I’m entitled to the place, but if I don’t get a Dance and Drama Award I would have to find the funding myself.

“I couldn’t pay for it myself, tuition fees alone are like £11,500 a year, plus there’s living costs in London, so it’s an impossibility to pay it up front.

“When I opened the letter I was ecstatic, but how am I going to pay it?

“It would mean everything if I am able to go, because that’s my path to get where I want to be.”

If anyone would like to support Megan please contact the Star on 01744 762766.