A YOUNG Irish dancer has become national champion in his first major competition.

Kian Tallon, from Ushaw Moor, is the new British National Irish dance champion in the under eight category.

The eight-year-old, who has been Irish dancing for about four years, is taught at the O’Hehir school of Irish dancing.

The championships were held in Southport and featured hundreds of dancers from all over the country.

Katrina O’Hehir, who runs the school at locations around County Durham, said: “He’s been to some local competitions but this is the first major one.

“We were absolutely over the moon. It’s an amazing achievement.

“I was delighted, particularly because of how young he is.

It will give him a boost for the future and hopefully for going to world championships in a few years time.”

She added: “This is a really big achievement for the school considering it’s still early days for us.”

Kian, who is a pupil at St Joseph’s Primary School in Ushaw Moor, has been dancing since he was four and has been at O’Hehirs since it opened about 18 months ago.

His sister Roisin also attended the championships.

Ms O’Hehir, an ex-Lord of the Dance star, teaches classes for children and adults at venues around the county.