YOUNGSTERS at a Norton-based school are dancing their way to success.

A number of the youngsters who attend Dance Expression, which is based at the Ryedale Community Leisure Centre, off Scarborough Road, have won places at prestigious ballet schools, as well as taking part in an annual pantomime.

Lucy Walker, who runs the dance school with her sister, Anna Wragg, said: “One of our senior dancers Megan Smith and Emma Piercy, who trained with us, have been selected to dance in the panto Beauty and the Beast at the Grand Opera House in York, while a number of our other pupils were selected as junior dancers.”

Lucy said other pupils has successfully auditioned with schools and colleges, including Jessica Huntsman, who was a junior associate with the Royal Ballet School, Emily Walker, who has gained a place at Stagebox, a children’s theatrical agency, Northern Ballet Associates and SLP Associates, Harriet Ward, at York Dance Scholars, Lucy Metcalfe at Northern Ballet CATs and Renaissance Arts, Leeds, Ethan Postlethwaite at Renaissance Arts, Leeds, Callum Hodgson at SLP Associates, Isabel Ward at Northern Ballet Associates, Abbie Mitchel at Phoenix Dance Theatre, Leeds, Ellie Gibson at SLP Associates, and Cerys Lester, at Renaissance Arts, Leeds.

Lily Walker, 11, has also gained a place at Northern Ballet CATs and Renaissance Arts, Leeds, and was winner of the RAD pop-up theatre.”

She said: “We would like to say congratulations to all our dances and wish the continued success.”