A BUBBLY brother and sister are taking the world of theatre by storm after securing leading roles in musicals.

Lauren Arnison, 13, and her brother Ross, 11, from Little Neston, won key roles on the stage, with Lauren playing the lead role in Annie and Ross taking the lead role in Her Benny.

Lauren landed her dream role as Annie in a UK touring production of the musical of the same name, starring alongside Su Pollard of Hi-De-Hi! fame.

Meanwhile, Ross played a lead role as Benny Bates in Ann Dalton’s production. The classic tale of two youngsters’ battle to survive in Victorian Liverpool was staged at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall last week.

Their proud mum Kerry Arnison, a part-time child occupational therapist, said: “It is terrific and I am very glad for them.

“Lauren has been dancing since she was two and, although she was very shy as a child, she always wanted to be on stage and to perform.

“Then her brother decided one day he would like to have a go as well. He mostly does street dancing and drama – but it has really taken off.”

Neston High School pupils Lauren and Ross both attend Wirral Theatre School.

Mrs Arnison said Lauren, who only auditioned for a small part in the touring show of Annie, was about to catch a plane to Spain for a family summer holiday when she got a phone call offering her the lead role.

Her lines had to be sent over by email and printed off so she could learn them by the time she got back.

She then spent two weeks rehearsing with the rest of the cast and is touring the UK for four months.

Denise Skinner, principal of Wirral Theatre School, said: “They have been with us since they were three so it was really rewarding to see all their hard work paying off.”