A DANCE academy in the town centre has reason to celebrate after a number of its pupils secured prestigious dance scholarships to train across the country.

Eight pupils at Hayward Dance Academy, based on Milner Street, successfully auditioned for the Northern Associates dance programme after impressing with their technique and ability.

Pupil Olivia Bayley, gained a place on the Royal Ballet School Junior Associate team, after beating off hundreds of other dancers from across the country at the auditions to win one of 25 places.

The nine-year-old now trains at the Manchester-based school in addition to her lessons at Hayward Dance and hopes to dance professionally when she is older.

Nina Hann, a pupil at Birchwood High School, was one of 14 dancers to win a Cecchetti classical ballet scholarship.

The 12-year-old travels to London to train every Saturday on the 30-week programme and at the end of the year, she will have the opportunity to perform at a prestigious London venue.

Owner Rachel Hayward, 45, said: "Since we moved to the town centre from Culcheth into a purpose-built studio, things have really changed for the academy.

"We have a wider variety of classes and these have helped the students remarkably."

Rachel has taught Nina and Olivia since they were both three-years-old and says they are both loving their additional ballet training.

Pupil Aiden Bell, 12, was awarded a scholarship to return to the prestigious Cecchetti Summer school at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Hertfordshire next summer after securing a place on the Northern Associates course.

This is a one year dance course awarded after an audition process to talented dance students based in the north of England and Scotland.