Jennifer Harrison, 15, beat off competition from six boys to win the role of the villainous money-lender in the musical.

She spent hours studying a DVD of the Oscar-winning 1968 film of Oliver!, starring actor Ron Moody as Fagin, before her audition.

When Jennifer's dad Philip secretly wrote to Ron asking for an autograph for his daughter, he was stunned to get a letter back, wishing Jennifer luck.

The delighted youngster was given the letter by her parents on the opening night of the musical at Brownedge St Mary's RC High School in Bamber Bridge.

Jennifer said she has always been a huge fan of the musical, watching it often as a youngster with her grandmother, who had also starred in plays.

She said: "Fagin always stood out the most to me and it was really nice to get the letter.

"Ron told me to have fun with the audience and I felt I really did.

"I loved being on stage and I wasn't nervous. I think the letter inspired me."

Jennifer, who is studying GCSE drama, has now framed the letter and an autographed photo he also sent her and put them on the wall at her home in Alder Drive, Hoghton.

The Year 10 pupil is hoping to become a professional actress when she is older.

She said: "Oliver! was part of my GCSE and I got full marks, 30 out of 30. I'll hopefully find a drama club to join now and I would love to be an actress when I leave school."

Jennifer's mum Jane said she was very proud of her talented daughter.

She said: "We were delighted to see her perform so well.

"A lot of people came up to us after and said 'What a fantastic talent'."