Teenager Holly Hughes has the potential to reach the top in acting and musicals if only she can raise the money.

The Swindon College student has the chance to study musical theatre at a top London theatre school in September.

It's a dream come true for the 18-year-old from Glenwood Close, Old Town. But if she cannot come up with the £8,706 annual fees, she will not be able to attend.

Her dilemma comes as Oxford University students plan to send South Swindon MP Julia Drown a mock bill in protest at Government plans to increase tuition fees.

They intend to send such bills, which they claim represent the financial burden students will bear because of the fees, to all MPs who had an Oxford education before fees were brought in.

Holly, whose tutors say she is on track to get a distinction in her BTEC National Diploma in Drama at Swindon College, said: "I was so pleased when I found out I had been offered the place.

"But when I got the letter to say I hadn't been awarded a grant I felt totally gutted. This is my big chance. It's something I've wanted to do for as long as I can remember. I don't want to see it just slip away."

Holly is now hoping Swindon firms will sponsor her through her course at The Arts Educa-tional School of Musical Theatre in Chiswick,

She said: "It will be excellent for me. It includes a lot of singing. My favourite musical is Cats, which I have seen three times.

"I thought Catherine Zeta Jones was absolutely amazing in Chicago and would like to have the chance to do it myself.

"Musicals make me want to get up and dance, even when I'm just in the audience. I love the intimacy of the theatre."

Holly started dancing with Swindon's Tanwood School when she was three and since then she has delighted audiences with performances at the Wyvern Theatre.

Her mum, Anne, 46, a credit control administrator, and dad Tony, 47, a toolmaker, are concerned that their daughter will miss the chance of a lifetime.

Anne said: "We just haven't got the funds to pay for her fees for three years. And that's without adding on her living costs.

"Holly has so much potential and loves what she does. She is really trying to help herself, too. She works extremely hard at college and is holding down two jobs to help save money."

Holly is a part time sales assistant at Swindon's House of Fraser, and on Saturday nights she works behind the bar at Old Town nightclub Soda.

f you can help Holly with any funding, contact Alex Emery on 528144.