AN eight-year-old from Penryn has made his TV acting debut - starring in the current Mitchell and Webber commercial.

Finley Challingsworth saw off competition from 15 other boys to win the part after attending an open audition in Truro which had been organised by Impact Model Agency. The audition was held at the Jason Thomas Performing Arts' dance studio where Finlay attends classes six days a week, learning ballet, tap, modern, street, contemporary and musical theatre.

"Finley was thrilled to be the one that was chosen," said his mum Jenna. "The advert was filmed in Bodmin last month and the director from the company John Weedon and the film crew were super impressed with him and were bowled over with how natural he was in front of the camera.

"He had to put on a Cornish accent which wasn't too hard as all of my side of the family are all proper Cornish. Finley had the best time making it and loved meeting everyone who was part of making it especially the man who plays his grandad in it, Roger Lyle."

Jenna added: "This was Finley's first paid job and he couldn't get over that he was going to be paid for something he loves doing and would have enjoyed just as much if he wasn't - although he does have his eye on a new Lego set.

"We are so proud of him he works so incredibly hard and it's lovely to see him reaping the rewards for his successes. This has made him even more so determined to achieve his dream whether that be on stage or TV when he's older and I'm sure with his determination, passion, talent and his amazing teachers he will make it."