ELLIOTT Watling is taking the stage by storm after landing his first lead role in a show.

When the now 14-year-old was born he was 10 weeks premature and weighed just four pounds.

For the first few weeks his life hung in the balance several times.

His parents were told he was unlikely to survive as his heart and lungs were under-developed.

Because of that he spent the first three months of his life in the special care baby unit at Swindon's Princess Margaret Hospital.

And just when his parents thought he was pulling through, he developed pneumonia and his life hung in the balance again.

But after battling away and beating all the odds to survive he is now focusing his attentions firmly on a career in showbiz.

His latest role is playing an eccentric doctor in the Dorcan Performing Arts Group's latest production Doctor Time and his Six Assistants, being staged at Dorcan Technology College.

"This is probably my best role to date," said the teenager, of Cornmarsh Way, Covingham.

"It's a really fun role to play and one of my bigger recent achievements.

"It has a very interesting storyline - it's exciting in places and has lots of humour.

"It can get quite hard to understand sometimes so you have to really pay attention to understand some of the subtle parts."

He added: "Singing is my life - I sing for most of the day."

Since Elliott started at the Dorcan school he has gone from strength to strength.

His mum Gail, 39, said: "He's done so well and I'm very proud of his achievements considering he wasn't supposed to survive.

"He's been part of Swindon Talent and won the audition round at the Bowl.

"Musical theatre is his passion and he's definitely taking Swindon by storm.

"People are recognising him a lot in the town."

Elliott has been singing for the last seven years and seriously for the last three. You can catch the show tonight and tomorrow, between 7pm and 9.30pm at Dorcan Technology College. Tickets are priced at £4 adults and £2.50 concessions.

For more information call 01793 727420.

l The final heat of Swindon Talent 08 will be staged at the Caribbean Carnival this weekend.

The carnival is at Buckhurst Crescent, Walcot from 4pm.

To view the video of Elliott at Swindon Talent 08 visit www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk.