A teenage performer may be forced to reject her guaranteed place at a world-famous theatrical academy unless she finds £10,000 for fees.

Natalie Mctiffen, 16, is coming to the end of her first year at the London-based Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, where she studies dancing, singing and acting.

She beat thousands of youngsters nationwide to win one of 42 places at the academy, whose alumnae include supermodel Naomi Campbell and actress Martine McCutcheon.

But after being accepted on to the second year of a three-year course, Natalie, of Pine Tree Close, Newhaven, has found the £10,000-a-year fees too much.

Natalie, a former Tideway School pupil, said: "I love every minute there because I have dreamed of going there for years.

"But my parents cannot afford the fees so we are not sure whether I can take up the offer of going into the second year.

"My ambition is to be successful in what I want to do, which is to perform in the West End, on cruise ships or even as a backing dancer for a pop star."

Natalie spends five days a week at the academy before returning to Sussex at weekends, where she works at Miss Selfridge at Churchill Square, Brighton.

She said: "I work really hard as it is. I rarely get a lot of time to myself. Trying to scrimp £10,000 on what I earn working one day a week is not going to happen."

Her father Geoff, 45, said: "We have helped as best we can but £10,000 is a lot of money."

Her mother Sue, 44, said: "She's very focused about what she wants to do, which is performing. We just need a bit of help to get her there."

Anyone able to help can contact Natalie on 01273 516465, or by writing to her at 1 Pine Tree Close, Newhaven, East Sussex, BN9 9HU.