A pair of identical twins who are part of a St Albans-based performing arts school have landed starring roles in the new series of a children’s television drama.

Nelly and Gwen Currant, who attend the Living the Dream School of Performing Arts, have been chosen to play the roles of twin characters Toni and Billie in CBBC series The Dumping Ground.

They have also been selected to be part of Living the Dream’s new talent agency to provide a platform for young talent in TV, film and West End shows.

The nine-year-old twins, who live in Herts, applied to an open casting process via the CBBC website and sent in an audition film before attending BBC MediaCity in Manchester for a live audition. They impressed the casting team with their natural acting style, energy and the clear bond that they had with each other.

Zoe Jackson, director of Living the Dream, coached the girls in prepration for their auditions and said: “We are very proud of their achievement and it is a hugely successful start to the Living the Dream Talent Agency. We look forward to championing young talent in more amazing opportunities to come.”

The casting team received hundreds of applications from the length and breadth of the UK for the roles. Over 200 audition films were sent in and 60 sets of twins were invited for live auditions at BBC Media City. This was then whittled down to a final group of 10 before the final choice was made.

Nelly said :“I couldn’t believe we’d got the parts, it’s so amazing!” while her sister Gwen added: “Getting the parts is a dream come true!”

Nelly and Gwen’s first appearance in the series will be in episode three as Toni and Billie move in to The Dumping Ground children’s home, and filming starts this week for broadcast on CBBC in 2015.