A BRACKNELL youngster will soon star in a community production of the famous story of Ben-Hur alongside former Eastenders actor and Ascot resident, Matt Lapinskas.

Jade Briggs, 11, is one of 65 community actors chosen to star in the Reading Rep production of Ben-Hur which runs from September 1 to 3 this year, just before she makes the big move to secondary school as a pupil of Garth Hill College.

She will feature alongside professional actors including Miles Yekinni as the titular character and Matt Lapinskas, famed for his role as Anthony Moon in Eastenders and his starring turn on ITV's Dancing on Ice.

Despite the enormity of the production, confident Jade, who was still a pupil at Sandy Lane Primary during auditions, says she is excited to get started in her role as Sophia.

"I'm really excited, it's great to work with lots of different people who aren't from my acting agency and are from the public, it's really fun to act with different people," Jade said.

She adds: "I want to do lots of great things and people will know my name. I'd like to be on TV and in films but I like being on stage because you get to work with a big cast."

The show runs at The Hexagon over three days and is part of an ambitious project marking the opening of Reading 2016 Year of Culture's 'Made in RDG' showcase, a month of projects celebrating work made by and for the people of the town.

Matt Lapinskas, now living in Ascot, says he got involved with the show as a way of giving back some of his acting experience.

He said: "The main attraction of Reading Rep is it's local to me, living in Ascot, so supporting the local community is important to me.

"I love Reading and all the people there. It's going to be a great show."

Ben-Hur is the epic story of the life and times of Judah Ben-Hur, whose extraordinary journey takes him from wealthy merchant to galley slave to champion charioteer and witness at the crucifixion, the story hit the limelight in the 1959 academy-award winning film starring Charlton Heston.

The community production was made possible by support from Arts Council England and Reading Borough Council, in association with The Hexagon, Reading Year of Culture, Reading Studio of Dramatic Art and Activate Learning.

Tickets available to book online at www.readingarts.com/hexagon or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.