A dance school student has won a place in a top performing arts university.

Emily Bainbridge, 18, of CJs Dance and Fitness in Dover, is going to the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.

The centre was co-founded by Sir Paul McCartney, in place of his and fellow Beatle George Harrison’s old school.

Emily started dancing at the age of three and wants to become a professional.

She said: “I’m so happy to be offered a place at LIPA, it was my top choice and I worked hard.”

“I’m looking forward to the opportunities I will get.”

Emily is one of three pupils at CJ’s in Pencester Road to gain a placement following successful auditions.

Emma Bowman, 18, who has attended CJs since she was six, was awarded a place at Chichester University to study dance choreography.

She said: “CJs has been such an important part of my dance training, from teaching techniques to giving me opportunities to teach and choreograph my own pieces.

“I am very excited by what the future may hold.

Cherish Jones, also 18, wants to be a dance teacher and will now study dance education at Canterbury Christ Church University.

Carol Jenkins, principal at CJs, said, “It has been a great privilege to work with these young ladies and see them grow and mature into great dancers over the years.

“We are thrilled that they have all chosen to pursue dance as a career.”