THE dance school which helped launch the career of Popstars winner Suzanne Shaw is celebrating its year of glittering triumphs with a name change.

Pupils at the Parklands Dance School in Bury, which has changed its name from Freelance, have enjoyed a successful 12 months, winning a string of regional and national awards.

Young dancers gained more than 300 medals and trophies and managed a sell-out performance at their school show.

And the final thrill came when former pupil Suzanne was propelled into the limelight, clinching a place in new pop act Hear'Say.

Despite her new life in the TV limelight, Suzanne still found time to ring former teacher Ann Parkinson, who runs the school based at Sillavan Metal Works in Victoria Street, Bury.

Miss Parkinson said: "I'm very proud of Suzanne. We talked about the ups and downs of showbusiness and the best way to handle things like bad press."