YOUNG dancers have celebrated passing their exams with flying colours.

All 29 pupils at the Northallerton ballet school who were entered for assessment, passed with distinction - the highest level awarded.

The girls, aged between six and 12, are taught by Guisborough dancer Natalie Wright.

"It is common for a few to get distinctions, but for them all it is quite a feat," she said.

Miss Wright, 27, a graduate of the Royal Academy, put the results down to hard work by the youngsters.

"They are lovely children and their parents are really supportive," she said.

Her classes, held at Bullamoor Junior School and Sacred Hearts RC School, Northallerton, have already spawned three Royal Ballet junior associates and ten of the girls won parts in the English Youth Ballet's production of The Nutcracker Suite, at Billingham Forum last year.