Girl, 9, dances her way to Royal place

Every year thousands of young hopefuls audition to be noticed by the Artistic Directors of the Royal Ballet School which runs outreach programmes in six cities across the UK.

Nine-year-old Ava, who is a student at Highfield Prep school, was among them this year and auditioned in Newcastle where there were 100 young girls vying for just four places.

Mum Deirdre said: This is the highest accolade of any young dancer in the UK.

“The competition is fierce to be trained by the best school in the country.

“Ava will now be training in Newcastle every Saturday, she will be invited backstage to watch Royal Ballet dancers rehearse in Covent Garden and can now audition for the prestigious White Lodge boarding school of the Royal Ballet.”

Ava, who has a 14-year-old brother Frankie, started ballet just two years ago and is no stranger to artistic success.

She won BBC young musician of the year Knaresborough year 6 and under area for singing.