THE actors' union Equity has stepped into a row over whether a

character known as the Milky Bar Kid in TV commercials for the famous

white chocolate bar, should be played by a black child.

Equity wants black and Asian youngsters to be considered for the role

but the sweet manufacturer, Nestle, said: ''We are definitely not going

to cast a black or Asian child in the part.''

The dispute emerged after Ms Maureen Gray, 30, said angrily that her

son, Nathan Brandy, was the only black child at recent auditions for the

part of the new Milky Bar Kid at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham.

Nathan, 10, from St Ann's Well Road, Nottingham, joined 600 youngsters

at the theatre but his mother said: ''They are saying everyone is

welcome. But they just want a blue-eyed white boy.''

Nestle press officer Mick Casey said further auditions would be held

over the next few weeks and black youngsters were welcome, but the

central role in the commercial would go to a fair child.

''That's what the Milky Bar Kid looks like and there is no reason to

change it ... just as Mickey Mouse looks like Mickey Mouse.''