A SCHOOLGIRL has high hopes of following in the footsteps of ballet dancer Billy Elliott.

Fourteen-year-old Faye Heather Anderson, of Redcar, has her heart set at performing ballet at the highest level, and dance teacher Lynn Wardell, of the Wardell School of Dance, believes Faye's dedication, ability and ambition will help her achieve her dream of dancing on the world stage.

Ms Wardell said: "Faye is a very well-known local dancer, who has worked extremely hard and is also very talented. I have confidence that she will go on to dance."

Faye is auditioning for ballet school, and fits practice around her school work. She knows that school fees and other costs which accompany being a professional dancer are going to be immense.

To start Faye on her fund-raising mission, Phil Chisholm, of Studio Tristan, in Redcar, is selling 100 copies of a signed limited edition picture of Faye at a cost of £100 each.

Anyone interested in buying one of the pictures, or helping Faye to raise money, should telephone (01642) 485322