A KINGSWINFORD schoolboy will be making his West End debut after being chosen to appear in School of Rock - the Musical.

Liam Hewitt, aged 13, has been picked in a nationwide wide search to appear from February 24 in the Andrew Lloyd-Webber show, which is running at the New London Theatre in London's West End.

The teenager, who attends Summerhill School, will play one of the young band members in the show which is based on the 2003 comedy movie starring Jack Black about a group of schoolkids who enter a battle of the bands competition, mentored by Dewey Finn - an out of work musician masquerading as a supply teacher.

Dudley News:

Stephen Leask as Dewey Finn in School of Rock – the Musical. Pic by Tristram Kenton

Liam's mum Nicola Keightley said of his success: "We are very proud. He has worked very hard."

The aspiring young actor, who is one of three youngsters sharing the role of band stylist Billy, was picked to appear in the show after impressing at auditions in London and he will star alongside West End stage stars Stephen Leask as Dewey Finn, Florence Andrews as Rosalie Mullins and Alan Pearson as Ned Schneebly.

Liam, who attends Stourbridge's Pauline Quirke Academy, has previously appeared in Peter Pan - the Musical, at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, and in the recent Peter Pan Christmas pantomime at the Arena Birmingham, starring Bradley Walsh and Martin Kemp.

To find out more about the show or book tickets go to www.schoolofrockthemusical.com.

Further open auditions for kids will take place at various locations across the country throughout the year. Go to www.schoolofrockthemusical.co.uk/auditions for more details.