A SCHOOLGIRL who once danced for the Queen Mother is part of a championsip-winning Great Britain Irish Dancing team for the second year running.

Katy Yearsley, 14, who attends St Anselm's School in Canterbury, and her 16-strong team spent five days in Somerset for the championships where they faced stiff competition from 15 teams from as far away as the USA

After reaching the final the team won the gold medal for the U15 category with their modern Irish dancing routine, the Celtic Knot of Life.

Katy who trains five times a week in Chatham, went to see Riverdance at the age of six has been dancing ever since.

She found the experience of the competition final thrilling. She said: "I was surprised how high the standard was of all those who entered.

Katy is now taking a break from dancing to concentrate on her GCSEs, after which she will decide whether or not she wants to continue competing at the highest level.