I battled through my toenail pain to win Irish dancing award

Ellen Gilhooly, aged 12, of Warndon Villages, Worcester, displayed some fancy footwork after having the toenail removed halfway through the competition.

About 4,000 competitors from more than 300 Irish dance schools across 15 countries attended the event.

This was Ellen's third appearance in the championships - the Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College pupil scooped second place in the two previous years - and she was in the winning under 16s mixed figure dancing team.

Her mum Jane Chance said she was asked to join the Sean Eireann McMahon School of Irish Dancing entry just six weeks ago when another team member became injured.

"It was very exciting. She was thrilled to get the gold medal after all the hours of training and the travelling to Bristol for training every week," she said.

Ellen, who has both Irish and Scottish roots, has been doing Irish dancing since she was five and usually attends the dancing school sessions at Fernhill Heath Memorial Hall.

She had to travel to Bristol to train with other members of the team when she was invited to step up to the under 16s world championship entry.

Ms Chance said Ellen was in a lot of pain during the competition until the toenail was removed. The competition, which is held in a different location each year, attracted entries from as far afield as the USA.

Members of the Sean Eireann McMahon Academy of Irish Dancing won the junior mixed figure event.

Meanwhile, other trophies came for finishing second in the mixed minor ceilidh, and minor mixed figure events and managed third place in the junior mixed ceilidh, and minor girls figure.

Mum Jane Cahill, of Post Office Lane, Fernhill Heath, whose nine-year-old daughter Jenny attended the event, said all of the competitors had done really well.

"They have been dancing since September in preparation," she said.

"It's absolutely fantastic. They have got some big trophies and each girl has got a medal and certificate."