IT could be a pain in the neck -- but little Sally Rennison can hardly wait to get her teeth into a prestigious role in the ballet version of Dracula.

The seven-year-old will be lured away by a vampire as she makes her stage debut in the Northern Ballet's production of the creepy classic at Manchester's Palace Theatre.

Sally, who lives in Hawkshaw, has taken ballet classes since she was three but only saw her first ballet at the same venue last year.

The Bury Grammar School pupil will be basking in the spotlight after talentspotters picked her out at an after-school dance workshop.

Mum Cath Rennison said: "She was in the right place at the right time. We have not pushed her down a theatrical path but this will be a great experience for her.

"She hasn't seen the dancers in their costumes and make-up yet so I'm sure that will be an eye-opener.

"She's thrilled and it will be a very proud moment for us. I'm not sure if Sally wants to be a dancer -- her ambitions change every week -- but she likes the idea of being paid!"

Sally will perform for seven nights as the Palace is transformed into Transylvania.

She features in one of the ballet's most chilling scenes, being lured into the night by Lucy who has been turned into a vampire.

Sally, who has lessons at the Prestwich-based Glenda Ann School of Dance, said: "I can't wait. I'm really excited."

At least Sally will not have to change her eating habits in the run up to the performances, which runs from October 3 to 7.

Her mum said: "She loves garlic, so there's no problem there."