A DANCE-MAD schoolgirl from Blackburn has been selected into the prestigious Royal Ballet School.

Hannah Elmy was one of just 15 applicants to be selected out of about 1,000 applicants for the school’s junior associates programme.

The eight-year-old has been attending the Dance Factory in Feniscowles for the last four years but will soon be going to Manchester twice-a-month for lessons with a Royal Ballet School tutor.

The school counts Wayne Sleep, Darcey Bussell and Dame Margot Fonteyn among its former pupils.

Hannah, who is in year three at St Paul Roman Catholic Primary School in Feniscowles, said: “I can’t believe it, I’m so excited.”

Her tutor at the Dance Factory in Feniscowles, Joy Wareing, said: “She’s really talented.

“The youngest age they take is eight but they’re mainly nine and 10-year-olds. She’s done so well.

“Hannah’s very dedicated and she absolutely loves to dance.

“It’s quite daunting for an eight-year-old to do a formal audition in front of the Royal Ballet experts but she took it all in her stride.

“It’s a great honour for her and it’s recognition of the work we are doing.”

Hannah’s parents, Stephanie and Ian, said: “We are all extremely proud of Hannah.

“This is such a special opportunity for a special and talented little girl.

“It’s amazing.

“Hannah never sits still and will be stretching out and spinning round the living room constantly. She lives and breaths dancing.

“She is a very happy little girl and is so excited to be joining the Royal Ballet Junior Associates in September.

“We can not put into words how much we love her and how proud we all are of her achievement.”

Her great-grandmother, Ann Thomas, 82, said: “I’m thrilled, over the moon. I could cry with happiness, well done Hannah.”

Despite the extra workload Hannah will continue with her ballet lessons three times a week at the Dance Factory, as well as her weekly jazz and musical theatre and jazz.