STOURBRIDGE actress Thea Hunt has landed her first role in a new feature film Leap which will be shown at film festivals next year.

Thea, aged 12, got the role after joining Dramaworkshop in September.

She will play alongside BAFTA nominee and Royal Television Society winner Kia Pegg, who is the star of CBBC’s The Dumping Ground.

Thea will play the role of Leah, sister of Jess (Kia Pegg), a young girl who returns home after attempting to take her own life.

Leap was written by Stourbridge-based Dramaworkshop director Esther Stanford, directed by award winning director Jon Pegg and produced by Louise Osbourne, of Baseline Productions.

Esther said: “As soon as the casting came up for Leap I knew Thea had to be up for the role of Leah as she has so many similar traits to Kia and is a fantastic actress.”

Thea added: “It felt amazing once getting the part, especially when I heard Kia was in it.

"Filming was great. It was such a fantastic experience to act in front of cameras and this will help my acting career so much."

Thea’s role is the latest in a long line of successful castings for Dramaworkshop with members cast in leading roles in Line Of Duty, Raised By Wolves, Doctors and other shows.

Dramaworkshop celebrates its 10th anniversary next year and is having a celebratory show at The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, in March.