A SEVEN-year-old from Halberton has been jumping for joy after being accepted into the Royal Ballet School Junior Associate Programme.

Lola Hughes was awarded a place on the prestigious programme following a series of auditions and will begin her training with them in September.

Lola dances twice a week in Tiverton at the Wightmore School of Dance – and one of her dance teachers, Christina Wightmore said: “We are all very proud of Lola and her achievement.

“Lola's talent was first noticed in her first ballet class 18 months ago.

“Lola has a beautiful classical line, and is very hard working.

“At the age of only seven she is always keen to perfect her work.

“Lola was one of the youngest to audition for the associate programme this year.

“Being offered a place for year four is the best start we could have hoped for.

“Naturally Lola is very excited about beginning classes in September, but still has not quite realised what she has achieved.”

The Royal Ballet School Junior Associate Programme nurtures young, talented students between the ages of eight and 11 in pursuit of excellence in pre-vocational classical ballet training.

The course is designed to augment an individual’s current training while introducing them to The Royal Ballet School’s System of Training, alongside other gifted children who aspire to a career in dance.

Pupils continue to study with their regular dance teacher in addition to their associate classes.

Associates sometimes have the opportunity to perform with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and other ballet companies and many have progressed through the School and into the Royal Ballet Companies.