AN ACTRESS born and raised in Datchet has been named best newcomer at the Birmingham Festival.

Gabrielle Killick, who grew up in Slough Road, was awarded the title following her performance in The Morning After, a play by Darren Heywood.

The 21-year-old said: “It’s really amazing, I wasn’t expecting it at all. I had so much fun working on the play, it was a dream role for me so to be named best newcomer was a bonus. There were some fantastic plays and performers on show at the festival so it means a lot.”

Miss Killick was a pupil at Eton Porny School, Trevelyan Middle School and Windsor Girls' School.

She said: “I remember being cast as Calamity Jane in a musical at Trevelyan, there are still pictures from it all over the house. I’ve always wanted to perform, I was in all of the drama clubs and choirs at school.”

The role of Niamh in The Morning After was Miss Killick’s first since graduating from The Birmingham School of Acting in June.

She added: “This is a dream start for me. It’s a fantastic role and I was really fortunate to get it. To team my first professional role with an award is a really lovely package."

Miss Killick has more roles lined up to continue her acting career.

She added: “I’m really excited for what the next year has to offer.”