A GROUP of talented youngsters have shown that Dumbarton and the Vale is full of acting talent after dazzling a packed theatre audience.

Last week we revealed St Kessog's Primary pupil Lauren Hunter, 10, had secured a role in the smash hit musical production of Annie.

She said winning the part as orphan Kate was better than meeting the Queen.

Lauren made her stage production debut in Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre after beating off hundreds of rivals for a part in the production along with aspiring Dumbarton starlets Logan Strang, Molly Cowie and Sarah Greer.

And the talented quartet had reason to smile after receiving a standing ovation from the packed theatre audience, which was left captivated by their convincing performances.

On Wednesday little Lauren told the Reporter that she had thoroughly enjoyed her first taste of the acting life and insisted that the experience hadn't put her off becoming professional actress when she grows up.

She said: "I don't know, but I think as my career is going well, I might still do it. It was really fun, I was a bit nervous because other people were there but it was really good." Bellsmyre girl Molly, 10, who played Annie's fellow orphan friend Tessie, also had a blast performing and said: "It was brilliant, I liked being on the stage and having fun, just all of it. I was still nervous tonight but it was really fun doing it and I love it all the singing and dancing." Molly's mum Sandra added: "She loves it she has always wanted to be in Annie. It's a girl thing. It was a fantastic show and I'm really, really proud of her." Excited Aitkenbar primary pupil Logan Strang, 10, also gave a sterling performance and admitted he didn't want to come off the stage.

He said: "I like everything about it. When you're on the stage it feels like you're doing nothing but it's exciting. When it was over I felt like aww is that it done already?" Logan's mum Janette added: "He loves it, he has always been interested in it. He was the only boy that auditioned and they made the shoe shine boy role for him." Fellow Aikenbar Primary pupil Sarah Greer, nine, added: "At the end you're just starting to have fun and the you realise it's already done." The four youngsters conquered their nerves last week and realised their dream of performing in front of packed theatre audience as part the Apollo Players' 100th musical production of Annie.

The star studded cast also included the talented Craig Murdo who has appeared in a number of plays, TV shows, soaps and films and has released a number of albums as well.