A TALENTED dancer has received funding to help pay her fees at one of the country's best theatre arts schools.

Shannon Wright, from Peterlee, County Durham, has fulfilled one of her lifetime ambitions by being accepted at the Betty Laine College for Performing Arts, in Surrey.

To put an even higher spring in her step, Northumbrian Water (NW) is to contribute £2,000 towards the 16-year-old's three-year dance and drama diploma course.

Only 60 out of the 600 applicants have secured a place at the school and yesterday Sir Fred Holliday, chairman of NW took the chance to watch Shannon dance at the launch of one of the company's community initiatives at Shotton Hall School, Peterlee.

He said: "I am especially pleased that we can help this talented young ballerina.

"I worked for many years with Margot Fonteyn when she was Chancellor of Durham University.

"She told me often how important it was to a young ballerina to receive encouragement in the midst of all the hard work.''

Shannon's talent and dedication over the years has won her many competitions. She is North of England champion for tap and was finalist in the British Championships for tap and modern dance.

"I am excited but apprehensive about being away from home and I am so grateful for all the support I have received," Shannon said.

Shannon, who has danced from the age of four, attends the Marron Stage School in Whickham.