TWINKLE-TOED young dancers proved they were top of the class when they came away with six trophies at a prestigious competition last week.

Dancers from Julie Scott’s Academy of Performing Arts, based in Athena Avenue, Elgin, wowed when they attended the South -west of England freestyle and rock and roll championships in Ilfracombe, Devon.

A team of 55 students aged from five to 34 travelled down to take part in the competition for the third year running.

They took part in a verity of dance categories including freestyle, street, rock and roll, and slow

And it was a clean sweep for the dynamic dancers who came first in a whopping six categories.

Julie Williams, founder and vocal coach at the school said it was a shock for the dancers to come away with so many trophies and she could not be prouder of all of her students

She said: “To win three awards was pretty amazing but I was just gobsmacked when I heard that we had won six out of six awards.

“It is testament to the hard work all the students put in.

“I just thought, wow, I couldn’t believe it. They danced very well but you never expect for them to come away with so many trophies.

“They really did dance their hearts out and it proves you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it.”

The 58-year-old who founded the school 24 years ago paid tribute to the hard work of expert dance teachers Deena Lovegrove and Shona Loveday.

She said: “I feel very proud of all of them and the staff who have spent so much time developing their talents.

“To think, some of them were only five-years-old and up against dancers who were 11, that particularly difficult but they have done us all proud.

“They didn’t show any nerves at all, they were so excited and confidence really helps you in a competition like that.

“It was a lovely atmosphere too on the day because all the parents and families were there to cheer the dancers on.We are all very excited for next year.”

Proving that dancing can be mastered at any age a mum of 34 also took part in the competition.