YOUNG ventriloquist, Kieran Powell, is preparing to perform in front of royalty at the Savoy Theatre in London's West End.

The 17-year-old from Nailsworth will showcase his unique act at the First News Diamond Kids Royal Gala in November as part of this year's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

He will be sharing the stage with Jason Donovan, who is hosting the night, to raise money for ChildLine.

Kieran dreams of being a professional entertainer and it has been a promising year for the young star since he won this year's Undiscovered Youth Talent Contest, organised by The Door Youth Project.

He has performed to audiences all over the country and even performed on the streets of the Olympic village, home to more that 18,000 athletes and officials, on the day of the London Olympics closing ceremony in August.

The former Wycliffe College pupil said: "It has been a fantastic year, being able to perform all over the place and write new material. It's obviously a great honour to be invited to perform in the West End."

Kieran is also about to perform his first solo theatre show - Look Who's Talking - at Cheltenham Playhouse on October 27, before taking it to theatres across the country next year.

" I am very excited to be performing my own theatre show. Having tried out some of the new material at other events, I think it'll be something that people will really enjoy," he said.

Tickets cost £5 and are available from the Cheltenham Playhouse box office on 01242 522852. For more information go to www.kieranpowell.co.uk