A BURY dancing school is celebrating a year of success, with several of its students achieving great things.

One girl in particular is one step closer to her dream of becoming a professional ballerina, having been awarded a full-time scholarship at one of the UK’s top ballet schools.

In September, 11-year-old Mekdelawit Markos, who attends the Janet Lomas School of Dancing in Bury, will begin Year 7 at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Hertfordshire, at its Classical Ballet Academy.

At Tring Park, she will continue her academic studies alongside intensive vocational classical ballet and performing arts training.

The school is housed in the stunning Tring Park Mansion, built in 1685 to the design of Sir Christopher Wren.

Tring Park School for the Performing Arts has been ranked as one of the top five schools in the UK for creative education.

Mekdelawit, from Whitefield, took her first ballet lesson as a beginner at the Janet Lomas School of Dancing, aged just five years old.

Her ballet teachers, Johanna Hadley and Janet Lomas, immediately noted her natural talent.

She has taken classes at the school several times a week for six years while simultaneously studying as an Elmhurst School for Ballet Junior Associate (in association with Birmingham Royal Ballet) for two years.

Ms Hadley said: "We are incredibly proud of her and very pleased for her too, she is such a lovely girl and she absolutely deserves it.

"She has always wanted to become a dancer and to be able to help her achieve that has been a real privilege.

"She has the X-factor, it's something that you can't quite put a name or word on, but you know it when you see it."

Ms Lomas said it was a “wonderful achievement” for Mekdelawit.

She added: “To be offered a place at the world-renowned Tring Park, Mekdelawit had to attend two rigorous auditions in front of an audition panel at the school.

“Each year, thousands of talented young boys and girls audition for just a handful of places at such ballet schools.”

Tring Park has also produced some of the top names in film, TV and show business, including Dame Julie Andrews, Daisy Ridley, Jane Seymour OBE, Jessica Brown Findlay and Lily James.

Fellow pupils at the Janet Lomas School of Dancing, at Blackford Bridge United Reformed Church, are also celebrating their recent achievements.

Mekdelawit’s friend, 10-year-old Ella Greenhalgh has recently been offered a place on Moorland International Ballet Academy’s Intermediate Enhancement Programme in September.

And eight-year-old students Emily Teixeira and Sophie Leong recently have been awarded places as junior associates at Elmhurst School for Ballet, in association with Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Emily will be joining her equally-talented brother, 10-year-old Denis Teixeira, who will be starting his second year on the course in September.

Ms Lomas added: “Emily and Sophie’s achievement means that the Janet Lomas School of Dancing has had five students accepted on to this prestigious scheme in the last three years.”

The school celebrates its 40th anniversary next year. For more information, please visit: www.janetlomasdance.co.uk