A YOUNG ballerina is taking up a place at one of the country’s top ballet schools.

Eleven-year-old Alice Burke is heading to The Hammond, in Chester, after being awarded a bursary.

Alice, from Durham, has been doing ballet since she was three and is a pupil at Polka School of Dance, in Bowburn.

John Burke, her dad, said: “We’re so proud of her. She started doing baby ballet on a Saturday morning and she liked dancing and gymnastics and all sorts but slowly and surely she’s dropped the other things and dance has taken over. She loves it.”

Ballet teacher Stephanie Matthews said: “It’s sad that its her last day but we’re massively proud of her.

“It’s so rare to get a place and she got into a couple so she had a choice. She’s a hard worker and a complete pleasure to teach.”

Alice, who went to St Margaret’s Primary School, Durham, has been an Elmhurst associate for three years, getting tuition from the Birmingham Royal Ballet.