A young ballerina is putting on her dancing shoes to take part in a major new production after being selected by the English Youth Ballet (EYB).
Leah Dixon, 11, will be appearing in the cast of an adaptation of Swan Lake at the Preston Charter Theatre on April 5 and 6.
Leah, who is a pupil at Todmorden C of E School, will be dancing the role of one of the Tsar’s nieces.
Together with all the other young cast members, Leah will dance alongside EYB’s international principal artists in a professional production and gain an insight into what life is like as a professional ballet dancer.
Leah saw off competition from more than 240 young dancers to secure her place in the production.
Mum Caroline is very proud of her daughter’s achievement.
“It’s a really good opportunity to see what it’s like in a regional ballet - going backstage, wearing fancy costumes and seeing how a production is put together,” Caroline said.
“The school has been amazing, encouraging her and letting her go to rehearsals on Fridays.”
Leah, who attends classes at the Sarah Hitchon School of Dance in Todmorden, said: “It’s been very exciting. I have to do two dances.
“I’ve liked seeing the swan scene at the end.
“I would like to do some more in the future.”