DANCER Angela Johnson could have taken her first step on the road to stardom after being selected for a touring performance group.

The 17-year-old, from Darlington, was told last weekend that she had been picked from hundreds of hopefuls from across the country to become part of the Northern Youth Dance Company.

Angela, who is a student at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Darlington, outshone other dancers at the first regional heats in Stockton on May 5.

She was then asked to take part in the finals at Dance City, in Newcastle, where she was selected along with 11 others to become part of the dance group.

The group, which performs contemporary dance, will tour the country between September and January, before perform- ing abroad later next year.

For Angela, her selection could be the start of a successful career in dance.

She said: "I have only been dancing for about four years, but I have learnt quickly and this will be a great experience for me.

"I want to become a dancer when I finish college and winning a place with the Northern Youth Dance Company is a fantastic start."