A NORTH-EAST ballet company is beating a path to Germany after winning a £2,000 grant to perform its latest show.

BalletLorent has received the sum from Arts Council England, North-East, which was formerly Northern Arts, to take The Ball to Dusseldorf.

The company will perform the show during an intensive 12-day Dance Link event, beginning on March 15.

It was invited to profile its work alongside some of Britain's best dance companies, including Akram Kahn, Carol Brown Dances and Vincent Dance Theatre, to give a picture of contemporary dance in the United Kingdom.

Belgian-born Liv Lorent, 30, started the award- winning BalletLorent in 1993 and has built up a reputation for producing challenging shows.

She said: "This is a great opportunity for the company to connect with a new audience and extend our artistic experience of The Ball in a European context.

"BalletLorent is grateful to the Arts Council England, North-East for their continuing support in the export and creation of new work."