A CWMBRAN actor has the world at his feet after receiving offers from seven different academies before choosing to take up a scholarship at a top dance school.

Wesley Maddocks, 17, has been performing on the stage for the last nine years – featuring in more than 50 local productions.

But now the performer, from Llantarnam, is leaving Gwent for a place at the Urdang Academy in London.

The teenager was offered a full scholarship at the school to cover the three years’ fees and said he can not wait to start in September.

Mr Maddocks started acting when he was eightyears- old and went on to learn ballet, tap, jazz and modern at the Sharon Fitzgerald School of Dance where he is still a student.

For the last two years, Mr Maddocks has been studying performing arts at Filton College in Bristol and is now preparing for his last two shows in Wales – with Centre Stage Cymru in June and the Sharon Fitzgerald Dance School Show which takes place in July.

Ms Fitzgerald said: “It is a wonderful opportunity that Wesley has been given and I am very proud of him.”