A YOUNG ballerina is celebrating after being selected for a place on a prestigious ballet programme.

Eight-year-old Jasmine Davison, who attends the Polka School of Dance, in Bowburn, near Durham, successfully auditioned for a place on the Elmhurst Associate Programme.

She is among a handful of aspiring dancers who are now getting extra tuition from the Birmingham-based Elmhurst School for Dance, to improve their technique and ability.

Stephanie Matthews, principal of Polka School of Dance said: “Jasmine has been attending classes since I opened the school five years ago.

“I was completely elated by her success and was very proud at the humble way she accepted her place.

"She also showed great concern for some of her friends who were not successful this time.

“Jasmine is extremely talented and works incredibly hard. She deserves this success.

“They obviously have recognised her exceptional talent. I am excited to see what the future has in store for her.”

Jasmine’s mother Amanda, of High Shincliffe, near Durham, said: “Jasmine has been dancing since she was two-and-a-half.

“She says it’s what she wants to do when she leaves school, when she’s grown up.

“She is thrilled to have been selected for the programme and is enjoying it. She has a couple of lessons already.”

Jasmine, who is a pupil at Shincliffe Primary School, attends the Elmhurst Associate Programme in Sunderland.