A 10-year-old ballerina from Ickenham has been chosen over hundreds of hopefuls for a place at one of the world's most prestigious dance schools.
Jasmine Whitford auditioned against others from around the world for one of only 12 spots available at the Royal Ballet School, where she will continue her education from September.
The Breakspear Junior School pupil is one of seven dancers from Suzanne's School of Dance to have made the cut over the past 19 years.
Jasmine has been training at the school in Swakeleys Road, Ickenham, since the age of two, specialising in ballet.
Principal Suzanne Ware said: “I'm extremely proud of Jasmine. She's very hard-working and conscientious and she really deserves this place.
“It's such an achievement.”
Others who began their dance career at the prestigious lower school, in Richmond Park, have included Darcey Bussell – now a panelist on the hit television show Strictly Come Dancing.
Jasmine has been training there once a week for two years as a junior associate, but will now study there full-time.
Her mother, Wendy, of Copthall Road West, said: “We're very proud of her. She's worked very hard to get where she's got and we are just over the moon with her success.
“She's aiming high. She's always said she wants to be like the prima ballerina. She just wants to be on stage and one of the main ballerinas.
“That's her ultimate goal – to be like another Darcey Bussell.”
