Young dancer has an extra spring in her step

A YOUNG dancer has an extra spring in her step after being selected for a prestigious academy.

Ellie Griffiths, a student at Trinity Academy, in Thorne, has secured a place at The Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds.

The 14-year-old will travel to the city two evenings a week and spend five hours being coached on Saturdays from September.

She hopes it will set her on a journey to a career dancing in West End musicals.

Ellie, who lives in Thorne and has been going to the Angela Gravil Stage School for nine years, said: "I've been dancing since I was five and I love being able to express my feelings through dance.

"My style is more ballet based and I think the judges in the audition must have liked that because it's a bit different."

Ellie, who is taking GCSE dance at Trinity Academy, which has a strong reputation for the subject and a dedicated dance studio, added: "After each year at Leeds you have to keep auditioning to stay there so I'll do that along with auditioning for parts in shows."

Ellie's tutor at the academy Gerard Dixey said: "Ellie is a very unassuming, humble young lady and clearly has huge talent for dance, which she supplements with hard work and determination. We're very proud of Ellie and hope this is just the beginning for her."