A TALENTED youngster from Canvey is poised for West End stardom after winning a coveted role in the hit show the Sound of Music.

Pia Johnson, ten, fought off hundreds of young hopefuls through five rounds of auditions to land the part of Marta Von Trapp.

She joins five other budding stars from across south Essex who have won parts in the Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber's smash hit West End production.

Pia, who goes to Northwick Park Primary School, will now perform four times a week alongside singing sensation Connie Fisher, belting out the musical's many famous tunes, including the Lonely Goatherd.

Pia originally decided to give up dancing and concentrate on her gymnastics. She only started singing lessons in January before impressing the show's talent spotters.

Proud mum-of-four Lynn, 46, of the Weald, said: "At the start I never thought she'd get this far. I was shocked and really pleased for her.

"If she does nothing else, she'll always have this experience to look back on. It's a chance of a lifetime."

Pia added: "I screamed when I found I got the part. I like playing Marta because she's younger than me and gets to run around.

"There are hundreds of people in the audience and the clapping at the end of each show is amazing. Connie is like a real mum, she's really nice."