Encore Youth theatre will feature its very own hero when it brings West Side Story to the Theatre Royal, Winchester.

Unlike other children, Adam Nowell had no dreams of being a fireman or an astronaut when he was older. He was diagnosed with leukaemia aged just four. After two years of treatment, Adam slowly recovered only to relapse again aged seven.

This set-back seriously affected his confidence and ability to join in with other children.

So Adam joined a drama group and this was where his love of theatre started.

He performed in show after show and by the age of ten, Adam decided that when he grew up he was going to be an actor. The plucky youngster says: "I had never thought about it before but I realised that acting is what I want to do more than anything."

Adam joined Encore in 1998, taking his first part in Blitz! He has been in every show since and this year plays Riff, the leader of the Jets.

West Side Story, with the unforgettable score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, sets the timeless tragedy of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet against a backdrop of gang warfare in the slums of 1950s New York.

Now Adam is trying to achieve his ambition of attending drama school. He says: "I will always remember the experience and the confidence that being with Encore has helped me develop."

After Friday night's performance the company will be collecting on behalf of Leukaemia Busters.

Adam added: "To be collecting in aid of Leukaemia Busters is very special to me. It means I can give something back to those that helped me and to be doing what I love and want to do for a career.

"To raise that money is a dream come true."

Theatre Royal, Winchester from Thursday, February 17 to Saturday, February 19 at 7.30pm and Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets £11. Box office: 01962 840440.