A DANCER from Blackburn has been given the chance of a lifetime to train for the West End.

Emily Ainsworth, 17, from Livesey Branch Road, has been dancing since she was seven years old and is now set to shoot into the limelight after gaining scholarships with two of London's most prestigious dance academies.

After several gruelling auditions, both the London Studio Centre and Urdang Dance Academy, which specialise in ballet, tap, jazz dancing as well as singing and dancing have offered her a place on their degree courses starting in September.

Past students of both academies have gone on to work in West End productions such as Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as well as joining companies like the English National Ballet.

Emily, who is studying performing at Preston College, said: "When I found out I was really excited. It's what I have wanted to do for years.

"When I started dancing I decided that was what I wanted to be and there was no changing my mind.

"Over 8,000 people went for auditions and only 60 places were available, so I've done very well.

"But I couldn't have done it without my dancer teacher, Joy Waring, who has been my inspiration.

"If she hadn't have been so enthusiastic I wouldn't be doing this.

"She's always said that I'd make it."

Emily has recently starred in several productions at the Charter Theatre, Preston, including Disco Inferno, We Will Rock You and Little Shop of Horrors and has been training at The Dance Factory, York Terrace, Feniscowles for 10 years.

Joy, who runs The Dance Factory, said: "It's an amazing achievement.

"To get in to one school you have to be good; to get scholarships for two is unheard of. Emily has an amazing voice and is a nice dancer.

"She is really enthusiastic, naturally gifted and works very hard.

"She is definitely going all the way."