A DANCING starlet from the region has become a national champion.
Nine-year-old Bethany Rushby beat off 60 other girls to become national ballroom and Latin dance champion.
Bethany, who lives in Foxglove Close, Newton Aycliffe, battled through several regional heats to reach the final last week. She won in the six to eight-years age group, but qualified because she was within the age range when the competition started.
Her mother, Chris Rushby, said: "I'm proud of her. It was a long time coming because even to make a national final is a great achievement when you keep beating off the opposition and getting over the last 18, 12 and then the final.
"It could be a once in a lifetime achievement. I thought she had a really good chance because she's very consistent and she's at the top of the age range.
"She looked lovely and did what was required, but you never an tell at the nationals."
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