A DANCER who overcame paralysis is celebrating 10 years of success at her own dance school with a show at Worcester's Swan Theatre.

Helen Leek was born paralysed down her left side, but put on her first pair of ballet shoes at the age of six when it was suggested dancing might help her co-ordination.

Her parents took her to Shakespeare's Stage School in Worcester for some "therapeutic" lessons and she began to dance her way through the disciplines.

As an older student, she qualified and began to teach, later helping a friend set up a dance school. She then decided to set up on her own.

"I came back to Worcester and, in 1992, began with one pupil," she said.

"In September that year, the old St Nicholas School building in Infirmary Walk, Worcester, came on the market."

She started with one studio. Now, Academy Dance has three and Ms Leek has taken over another dance school in Malvern.

She has more than 200 students, ranging from two-year-olds to adults, some of whom are performing in the anniversary show at Worcester's Swan Theatre.

"Putting on a show is enjoyable because all the pupils are involved, whatever their age, ability or standard," she added.

"There's something for everyone."

This year's show, on Saturday and Sunday, July 20 and 21, with matinee and evening performances on both days, is based around the figure 10.

Much of it is a closely guarded secret, but two of the numbers involve the Ten Commandments of Bart Simpson and Ten Green Bottles.