A DANCER from the North-East has set up her own freelance dance school.

Ashleigh Lovett plans to offer classes aimed at the younger generation in street dance and hip hop.

Only weeks after establishing her business, 22-year-old Miss Lovett has already been offered work by local authorities and community groups, including from Durham County Council.

The base for her company will be Bishop Barrington School, in Bishop Auckland, but she will work around the region in response to demand.

Her previous experience includes working with Mimm World Productions, where she had a job dancing on cruise ships, and working as a community physical activities coordinator for Wear Valley Council.

Miss Lovett is also accredited by the International Dance Teachers’ Association.

She said: “Dancing was a hobby for me from about the age of five. After leaving school, I studied for a national diploma in dance at Newcastle College.

The course really benefited me, as it pushed me to perform and develop my skills. I also studied some styles I hadn’t been exposed to before, which was interesting.”

Miss Lovett has been helped to launch her business by Be Enterprising, which works to help entrepreneurs in Derwentside, Easington, Sedgefield and Wear Valley.

Be Enterprising business coach Michael Smith said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Ashleigh, developing what I believe is a very good business model.”