SCHOOLGIRL Francie-Jo Heward has danced her way to a regional championship.

The 12-year-old, from Middlesbrough, beat 69 other competitors to secure the Northumbria Tap Dancing Championship.

The Acklam Grange pupil had to dance four times before the judges as eligible candidates vying for the title were gradually whittled down.

Mum Samantha Moore, who taught Francie-Jo to dance at her academy of dance, said: "It's just fantastic, I'm over the moon. But she has worked really hard."