A TEENAGER who overcame a crippling leg injury has been crowned the best free-style dancer in Britain.

Thirteen-year-old Lucy Metcalfe, from Shildon, County Durham, has carried off the coveted Nationwide Medallist of the Year award at Blackpool's Winter Gardens.

This is a huge achievement for someone who - at the age of six, and only two months after she had her first dancing lesson - suffered a severe fracture when she was hit by a car outside her home.

For six weeks, Lucy lay in traction at Bishop Auckland General Hospital and for months she walked with a pronounced limp.

Her parents, Michael and Michelle, feared their daughter would never dance again. But they had not taken into account Lucy's determination and talent.

A dance student at Lea Green in Newton Aycliffe and coached by teacher Linda Wilson, Lucy overcame her serious injury and soon began to show real promise.

She entered her first competitions at the age of ten and has been winning trophies ever since.

In February, Lucy qualified for the finals in her first year as an under-16. And in the contest at the Winter Gardens, Lucy, beat 85 other dancers to win the under- 16s top title.

Putting her best foot forward, Lucy confidently demonstrated her ability cheered on by her parents and brother Luke.

"We're really proud of her," said Michelle. "There was a time after her accident that we thought she may never be able to dance again.

"She loves it and would like to make a career as a dancing teacher."

In the meantime, Lucy - along with seven pals known as the Darlington Divas - can be seen cheer leading at Darlington Football Club matches.

Competing in the national competitions has meant she has been missing from the pre-match displays recently, but the Divas promise to be back this Saturday.