A 10-year-old girl from south Bucks has taken centre stage with comic Miranda Hart in London’s West End.

Jessica Cartledge, from Beaconsfield, bagged the role of Tessie in Annie. She was previously chosen for the 2016 UK tour of the production to play Molly.

Jessica said she was “over the moon” when she found out she had scooped the coveted role.

She said: “I was excited to meet the new cast and to see everyone from the tour again.

“My friends and family were really happy for me but I don’t think that some of my friends believed me.”

Jessica is working closely with Miss Hart, who plays Miss Hannigan. Tessie is one of the girls in Miss Hannigan’s orphanage.

Speaking about working with the comic, Jessica said she said she was “very excited” to meet her, but not as much as mum Wendy.

She said: “She is very interesting and funny. In rehearsals, she made up jokes and used her catch phrases, and she was really friendly.”

Jessica told the Bucks Free Press she “never dreamed” she would one day play a major part in a West End production.

She said: “It’s really fun. My favourite part is being on stage and I miss it when I’m not there.

“I love all the cast, not just the other orphans but the adults are fabulous too, especially the ones that play Rooster and Lily because they play games with us.

“I had so much fun being Molly in the tour that I wanted to go back and do another part. I’ve always loved acting since I was three.”

Mum Wendy said: “We can’t quite believe that this is our life now. She isn’t happy unless she is singing or dancing but she loves acting too.

“She sings and dances around the house most of the day, driving us a bit nuts.

“She rarely complains about being tired, even when she’s done three days of school and three nights in the theatre and she always looks forward to her next show.

“I think she would be there every night, given half the chance.”