A PROMISING actor who has scooped a place at a prestigious drama school, now faces a second struggle - to find the tuition fees.

Chris Higgins was thrilled to hear that he had won a place at the acclaimed Mountview School, in London, after studying for A-levels at Runshaw College, in Leyland.

But his happiness was short-lived after Lancashire County Council refused to pay his £1,250 tuition fees.

As a result, Chris, from Walton-le-Dale, will also miss out on extra funding from the Arts Council, which had agreed to pay half of his fees - but only if he secured local authority cash.

Chris has starred in several productions while studying performing arts locally.

He said: "This money would have been a great help as it would have attracted more funds from the Arts Council and covered half my tuition fees.

"If I don't get this money, I will have to put the course on hold and work solidly for a year to save up. Even then it will be a struggle."

And working in London is an unrealistic option. He added: "An average day at Mountview runs from 9am to 7.30pm plus rehearsals on top, which would make it really hard to find a job to suit."

Chris has already launched an appeal for funding - a move backed by Mountview the National Youth Music Theatre and his teachers at Runshaw. He has letters from all of them recommending that he should be awarded the cash.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman refused to discuss Chris' case, adding: "Each year the number of applications for the grants exceeds availability.

"We provide awards to applicants who receive a positive recommendation from the relevant auditioning panel, across the range of disciplines."

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