FIVE-year-old Ell Baister's dancing talents have won her four national titles.

Ell, from Kirk Merrington, near Spennymoor, swept to victory at the Nationwide United Kingdom Alliance competition, in Blackpool. The youngster, who attends Martingrove Dancing School, in Eston, Middlesbrough, won trophies in latin, ballroom, modern sequence and classical sequence dance.

She is also the holder of the International Dance Teachers' Association Medallist of the Year award for the Tyne-Tees region, after winning two shields for modern sequence and latin dancing. Her mother, Liz Dodd, said: "I would have been happy if she had won one shield this year, but to win two shields and four national trophies is beyond expectation.

"Her dance partner Rachel Canwell has been great, and so have her teachers Joan Martin and Chris Rushby. I would like to thank them all for the time and dedication they have given to Ell.'