A YOUNG dancer took to the stage in a solo performance for royalty during a fundraising evening for the Central School of Ballet.

Leonne Campbell, 17, of Redcar, performed for Sophie, the Countess of Wessex at the London school.

Behind the Scenes, which took place last week, was also a celebration of the school's achievements since the Countess became patron in 2003.

Leonne who is in her second year of a BA (Hons) in professional dance and performance, a three-year course, met the Countess and patron of the school Sir Derek Jacobi.

She said: "It was a great honour. We talked about the creative process and how a fellow student created my solo.

"I explained how much I enjoy dancing it, because it was created for me and how that makes it feel very special."