LIKE a latter-day Kid from Fame, Laura Risbrough hopes to learn how to fly high on stage.

Laura, 16, a student in classical ballet and pupil at the Val Armstrong Dance School, has recently accepted a place at the prestigious Hammond School in Chester for a three-year course.

The pupil of Grangefield School in Stockton is making leaps and bounds on her road to fame.

Grangefield headteacher Michael Hill said: "After hearing about the auditions she decided to apply and was thrilled when she heard she had a place. Although she knows she will probably get homesick from time to time and will miss her family, she is very excited and can't wait for September, when the course begins."

She was unable to get a scholarship so is now hoping for some sort of sponsorship to help her with the £12,000 fees.

Another pupil from the school who is heading in the right direction is Emma Beach.

Emma who, as a member of the Lamm Dance Company, has been invited to join the Northern Youth Dance Company for a year.

As part of a tour of the region she will soon be appearing at the Newcastle Playhouse and Darlington Arts Centre.

For the moment however, both girls have their feet firmly on the ground as they revise for their forthcoming GCSE exams.