PLANS to help the region's budding Billy Elliots fulfil their dancing potential will be unveiled tomorrow.
A Government scheme to offer grants in music and dance for exceptionally talented youngsters will be announced by Schools Minister David Miliband.
It will fund links between schools in the region and specialist centres.
Advanced training for North-East children will be given in the Sage Gateshead music centre, on Tyneside.
The project aims to ensure young dancers, singers and musicians can make real-life achievements to match Billy Elliot, the film character played by North-East actor Jamie Bell.
In an interview in a national newspaper yesterday, Mr Miliband said: "We all remember the character of Billy Elliot leaving his home town to train in London.
"I want to extend these opportunities to children similar to the character of Billy, so they can enjoy the benefit of excellent training, but still go to their local school and remain active participants in local artistic communities, without having to leave home."
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