THEY have grown up together, gone to school together and now brother and sister Finn and Amelia Richards are treading the boards together.

The Stockton Heath youngsters will appear alongside each other in ABD’s production of The Pied Piper at The Brindley in Runcorn from July 28 to 31.

Finn has one of the main junior roles as Erik, who leads the children of Hamelin away from home.

The 11-year-old also has two ensemble parts and will be singing a solo.

Amelia, nine, has an ensemble part which also includes a mime on stage with one of the leads.

It is their second time together in a professional production after sharing a stage for ABD's A Christmas Carol in November last year.

Finn said: "I started off on stage by myself and I like to think Amelia was inspired by my actions and joined in as well.

"I don’t feel as nervous when she’s on stage because I know my parent aren’t only looking at me."

Finn, who will be attending Bridgewater High in September, was stage-struck when he appeared at a nativity play at St Thomas' CE Primary School when he was seven.

The Fairfield Road resident then joined A.T. Dance's Spotlight Stage School in Sandy Lane when he was nine which is when he was discovered by ABD.

They were impressed by his voice, confidence and enthusiasm.

Finn has previously appeared in the company's productions of Peter Pan, Her Benny and A Christmas Carol.

He added: "When I did Peter Pan it was really exciting but I was extremely nervous because I’d never performed with ABD before.

"I didn’t know what to do or what to say and I didn’t know anyone. But I made a friend called Hayden Tudor who was like a big brother to me."

Finn and Amelia both perform ballet together at A.T. Dance too and are up to grade three.

Dad Jonathan said: "Not a lot of boys do ballet so they’ve been really good with him and given him a lot of support."

Finn and Amelia's parents are not sure where their children got their inspiration from as they are the first in the family to tread the boards.

Jonathan is the head of marketing for a Swiss-owned company in Salford and mum Christina is head of early years for a private school in Liverpool.

But they want the youngsters to follow their dreams, particularly as Finn wants to become an actor when he grows up.

"Peter Pan cost us a fortune as we went to every performance," added Jonathan.

"It’s interesting that Amelia has picked up on it and wants to do it. They’ve both come together at the same point.

"It’s been a very busy year for Finn in terms of auditions too. We got very close with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in January.

"Finn was in the last five. Obviously he was disappointed but we learnt a lot from it."

Next up for Finn is an ensemble part in Wind in the Willows, written by Downton Abbey's Julian Fellows and starring Rufus Hound.

Finn is appearing in Salford Quays leg of the tour at The Lowry from October 27 to November 6 before the production heads off to the West End.

He said: "It’s absolutely incredible. I didn’t expect for one minute that I’d get it. They thought I was right for it so I’m amazed."

So with a career on the stage and screen already in mind what would be Finn's dream role?

He added: "I’ve always wanted to be in a Star Wars movie and I’d like to be a comedy superhero like Ant-Man."

- The Pied Piper is at The Brindley in Runcorn from July 28 to 31. Visit thebrindley.org.uk or call 0151 907 8360.

DAVID MORGAN