BUDDING Worcester dancer Nicola License has beaten off stiff competition to win a place performing a solo in a production with the prestigious English Youth Ballet.

The 14-year-old, of Bath Road in St Peter's, auditioned alongside thousands of youn-gsters from across the country to make the final 100 performing in Sleeping Beauty at a Swindon Theatre tonight and tomorrow.

Nicola, who has been studying ballet, modern, jazz and tap dancing since the age of six at Worcester's Harlequin Stage School, hopes to become a professional dancer when she leaves Blessed Edward Oldcorne RC High School.

Proud mum Heather, aged 44, said: "She absolutely loves dancing and she couldn't imagine not having it in her life.

"She's delighted to be taking part in such a prestigious production."

And it is perhaps no surprise that Nicola, who also sings, comes from a family of musicians, with her mum playing the violin, her dad, Chris, aged 46, a brass player and her sister 17-year-old Hayley is a flautist for the National Youth Orchestra.