A YOUNG actor successfully saw off hundreds of rivals to play a leading role during the recent fun-filled Roald Dahl centenary celebrations.

Lloyd Williams, a pupil at Ysgol Bro Morgannwg, was cast as James Henry Trotter, from Roald Dahl's famous book James and the Giant Peach, for the City of The Unexpected event.

The City of the Unexpected, which was held in Cardiff on September 17 and 18, was an enormous production to celebrate the centenary of world-famous author Roald Dahl.

Lloyd said: "I could not believe that I was picked to play James.

"I had to go to an audition a few months ago, where I had to sing and read aloud - there were hundreds of people there hoping to get the role.

"The reason I was picked, I was told, was because I wasn't 'arrogant' and 'looked like someone who could pop out of a giant peach'."

The 13-year-old, who lives on Glen Mavis Way, joined thousands of other people who enjoyed an entertaining weekend full of music, performances and dances.

"My favourite part of the weekend was being lifted up over a 70 metre peach, then being lowered onto the Cardiff Castle battlements by crane," said Lloyd.

"When I came up out of the peach and saw all the people in the streets around the castle, it was really fun and I wasn't expecting that.

"I have had the most fantastic and amazing time working with the cast also."