Three Bolton girls from a dance school in Tonge Moor will be making their professional musical debut in the coming months.

Layla-Jane Razaghi-Markland, 10, Isabella Barnett, 10, and Ellie-Mai Oldham, 13, students at Taylor's Theatre Academy, will be taking to the stage in a brand new musical, Identical.

Identical is a new show based on the novel The Parent Trap and is directed by Trevor Nunn, who has also directed some of the worlds greatest musicals including Les Miserables, Starlight Express, Cats, Sunset Boulevard and Six.

The three girls are beyond excited to get started after a grouling wait to hear back after their auditions.

Stacey Taylor, the girls teacher and principal at Taylor's Theatre Academy, said it was anxious wait but herself and Julie Ashton, also a prinipal at the school, are very proud.

Stacey said: "We are so unbelieveably proud of them all.

"Auditions are sometimes quite scary but all of them went in there and clearly smashed it.

"It was an anxious wait to hear if they had made it into the children's cast, but when we got the phone call we were all so over the moon for them.

"All of the girls train full time in Performing Arts at Taylor's Theatre Academy and it's clearing paying off.

"We can't wait to watch our students on stage with such a talented cast, and we can't believe they will be working with Sir Trevor Nunn."

Ellie-Mai said this is the biggest opportunity she has ever had and she cannot wait.

She said: "I'm so excited. This is the biggest opportunity I have ever had, thanks to my dance teachers Stacey and Julie.

"I'm looking forward to just being on stage with a great cast in my first musical and doing what I do best.

"Performing is my life and it always will be, I can't wait to get started with rehearsals."

Layla-Jane and Isabella are also excited.

Layla said: "I am so happy that I have got this far in life, but I realise how important it is to follow your dreams and never give up.

"A big thanks to Stacey and Julie for helping me too, I just can't wait to perform at the Lowry in Identical.

"I am so looking forward to having a life full of dancing, singing and acting and also to any further roles I might get in the future."

Isabella said: "I am so excited to be part of Identical and to get to work with Trevor Nunn.

"He directed Six which is one of my favourite musicals.

"I am very grateful to have been bale to audition and be chosen for such an amazing opportunity.

"I am looking forward to being on stage every day performing and getting lots more experience for my future in the industry."

Identical will begin at the Lowry from August 19 until September 3.

If you would like to book tickets, go to https://thelowry.com/whats-on/identical/