LABANOTATION might not be the first thought that comes to mind when thinking about a Dance AS level.

But the complex series of symbols for steps and choreography is just one of the topics studied in a number of up and coming course being offered in East Lancashire.

St Mary's College in Blackburn is celebrating after being nominated as a national centre of excellence for unprecedented recent success in dance, theatre, and performance studies.

And Blackburn College has also expanded its range of performing arts courses. One thing the students and teachers agree on -- they are not the easy option when it comes to A and AS Level choices.

Under the direction of former professional dancer and college pupil Elissa Barnes, 120 pupils have achieved examination results "beyond normality" in just three years of the courses being offered at St Mary's.

The performing arts centre has now been selected by national examiners as an example of best practise and proof of what qualifies as excellent.

And students are being selected and auditioned for the most dynamic dance companies in the country.

Also, professional companies are now visiting the Shear Brow site and encouraging the modern and contemporary performers to pursue their education to degree level and beyond.

Ms Barnes slammed critics who say the performing arts are the 'easy option' when it comes to AS and A2 level qualifications.

She said: "For a dance AS level alone, students have to learn Labanotation as well as a full history of twentieth century dance and their own choreography skills.

"These are some of the most demanding qualifications students can take. Students have to be very committed not just at this level but well into their career.

"It is not a path that is selected for an easy ride. At university where other students might be drinking and parting with a few lectures, dance and theatre under graduates have to train for around twelve hours a day."

St Mary's offers A levels in theatre studies, performance studies and an AS in dance. The 16-19 RC college hopes to develop the dance strand further as well as build a new theatre in the coming years.

Accrington and Rossendale College also offer a range of popular arts and performance studies ranging from BTECs to national diplomas. Nelson and Colne College offer theatre studies to A2 level.

Blackburn College offers programmes in Performing Arts, Drama and Theatre Studies and Dance.

The College's Performing Arts Director, Nick Maynard, said: "Any sort of performance is a lifestyle thing and it's that passion behind what they have chosen to do that makes them succeed.

"It is not just a question of contact time in College but the amount of time spent at rehearsals, in the library, on computers and attending others' performances. It's a 24/7 subject. The 2 years they spend here are the busiest they'll undergo in their academic life."