JUST six months ago Laura De La Rue would never have dreamt of getting up on stage.

After being diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of two, the wannabe actress was petrified of suffering a fit during a performance.

But now the 12-year-old has been given the all clear - and she has already landed parts in two productions of orphan feel good classic Annie.

Laura, along with her cousin Page, 10, beat off competition from hundreds of other hopefuls to snatch parts in the heart-warming musical about an orphan whose fortunes are reversed when she is adopted by a generous billionaire.

Mum Wendy Taggart is brimming with pride over Laura's achievement because just six months ago her daughter would never have been confident enough to appear on stage.

She said: "When she had epilepsy she used to say 'why me?' Now she just wants other children to know that they can fulfil their dreams and they can grow out of epilepsy and there can be light at the end of the tunnel."

Laura said: "I've always wanted to do stage stuff but when I had epilepsy I couldn't because I didn't have the confidence.

"I would be scared to do a play in case I had a fit. I would never have auditioned for something as big as this.

"I was really pleased when I got the part.

"I want to make other children who have epilepsy realise that they can grow out of it and their dream can come true."

Laura, of Cracknore Hard Lane, Marchwood, and Page will appear in shows at the Magna Carta Theatre, Staines and the Hexagon Theatre, Reading.