A young thespian from Hove has scooped a leading role in a West End production at one of the country’s top theatres.

Toby Murray, 12, has snapped up the part of Emil in Emil and the Detectives which starts playing at The National Theatre in London in March.

Toby said: “I was gobsmacked – it's amazing, the cast and crew are just fantastic and everyone around me has been so supportive.”

Toby started his acting career when he was eight years old and was cast as one of the twins in Peter Pan at the Theatre Royal in Brighton.

He has already been seen in Casualty and Blandings for BBC One and played the lead Dylan in Dani’s Castle on CBBC.

The Lewes Old Grammar School pupil is also about to make his feature film debut in Une Promesse starring Alan Rickman and Rebecca Hall.

Toby has also featured in adverts starring in two campaigns for Cheerios in Spain and South Africa and already made his stage debut in Matilda the Musical, which also played in the West End.

A group of his friends as well as teachers and trustees from his school in Lewes will be watching one of the shows Emil stars in next month.

Toby said: “I wouldn’t have got through it without the help from my older sister, mum, dad and grandparents.

"They have all given me so much support and help.

“It’s advice like recommending I should not act the character of Emil but to feel the character that has been so helpful with the show.”

Toby plans to take a break from acting to concentrate on his GCSEs.

He said: “I would love acting and performing to be a part of my life whatever happens in the future.

“It’s hard work and you have to sacrifice a lot, but it’s worth every minute.”

Robert Blewitt, headmaster at Lewes Old Grammar School, said: “He puts in so much effort and is a real professional in his approach.”