AN AMBITION shared by many young people, is that of appearing on television, in films, or in the theatre.

It's one thing to harbour an ambition, but it is another to actively chase after it - and Laura Taylor from Berkeley is working hard to achieve these ambitions.

It all started with an after-school hobby, weekly ballet lessons in Gloucester but, 11 years of practice later, and Laura is now studying the music theatre programme at the London Studio Centre.

The years between have been filled with lessons in ballet, jazz and tap, summer schools, auditions and yet more practice.

Laura reckons that some of her most memorable times were spent last year, auditioning for various theatre schools - the fight for places is competitive - but Laura was actually offered a choice of places.

She moved to London in September to start her studies at the Studio Centre, where she has formal lessons in anatomy, music, dance criticism and practical lessons in ballet, dance for music theatre, jazz, drama, voice technique, tap and singing. The programme is varied, but incredibly busy - by the end of a term "You need the holidays to recover!"

Alongside studying at the centre, an agent there arranges work for students and, while work is generally kept minimal for first-year students, Laura has still had television appearances, being part of an audience for pop videos, and appearing as an assistant on a Sky One undercover magic show.

In the near future she has shoe modelling lined up, but her long-term future plans involve performing in musicals, "although not Starlight Express - couldn't manage on roller-skates!" - For anyone who wishes to get into a theatre school themselves, the advice is to get dancing.

With the competitive nature of the industry, many of the girls and boys have been dancing since childhood, but with some drive, it is possible to pick up the skills at a later age.

Along with the need for physical fitness, determination and a will to work hard are essential traits for success.

Dance schools can be found listed in the Yellow Pages and beginners' classes are always available.