A REDDITCH youngster has danced her way to a place in the English Youth Ballet to star in a production of The Nutcracker.

Hannah Calvert, 11, of Evesham Road, Astwood Bank, beat scores of other dancers during an audition in Swindon to gain the scholarship, which begins in January.

The Alcester High School pupil has been a keen ballet dancer since the age of four and practices up to five times a week at the Rutleigh Norris Ballet School in Alcester.

Her mum, Joanne Calvert, said: We are really proud of Hannah. She has put a lot of hard work into ballet and is very dedicated, it's what she wants to do full time.

Hannah will have to attend weekly training sessions in Swindon every Sunday from next month and will work alongside two principal dancers from the Royal Ballet.

The production of The Nutcracker will be performed at Easter.