VIDEO: Twinkle-toed Newcastle dancer earns 'full pointes'

TALENTED Violet Douglas-Smith is on her way to realising her ambition of becoming a professional dancer after landing a part in one of the world's best-loved ballets.

The eight-year-old, pictured, impressed the English Youth Ballet with her poise and skill and will now appear in its production of Swan Lake.

She was among 160 eight to 11-year-olds to try out for a role at auditions held in Preston last November with only 40 being selected.

Violet, who attends the Marye Humphrey's School of Dance in Newcastle, said: "I was a bit nervous during the audition but I was really happy when I found out I had been picked.

"I love dancing and I do modern and tap as well but my favourite is ballet."

Violet, from Scholar Green, said she 'fell in love' with Swan Lake after watching a Royal Ballet production of Tchaikovsky's most famous ballet last October.

Violet, a pupil at St Gabriel's Primary School in Alsager. added: "I enjoyed watching Swan Lake so I am really excited about performing in it."

She will start rehearsals next month to prepare for the start of the show in April.

Proud mum Kate Lawton, aged 38, said: "I was surprised that she was picked because there was so many talented children there.

"Violet's nana and I took her to the audition and I think we were more nervous than her.

"She has had a passion for dance since she was little and I'm really proud of her."

Mother-of-four Kate added: "The lessons she has been doing at the school had prepared her really well for the audition.

"I used to be a pupil at this dance school and I took her here because it's the best place in this area for dancing. I've got four children but it's only Violet who does dancing.

"Violet has taken part in a lot of shows such as Oliver! in October with the Potteries Theatre Company and the pantomime Aladdin in Newcastle but this will be the biggest one yet.

"I encouraged her to go for the audition and I'm glad I did.

"It means she will have more confidence to take part in big shows like this.

"All the family will definitely be going to watch her when she takes to the stage."

Dance school owner Marye Humphreys has been teaching Violet since the age of three.

The 59-year-old, from the Westlands, said: "I was delighted for Violet when I heard the news.

"I also taught Kate here when she was a little girl and she's just as talented as her mum. Violet is a pleasure to teach and she always works very hard.

"The fact she has been chosen for the show is a great opportunity because it's very difficult to organise a show like Swan Lake in an amateur production. The show is so well known as well so it's really positive for Violet."