Two York dancers are paving their way to treading the boards in the West End, after winning places at a theatre school. Annalie Sutherland, from Woodthorpe, and Ian Stroughair, from Acomb, both 16, have been chosen to join a full-time course at a Blackpool theatre and dancing school, Theatreworks.

The pair, who attend dance classes at Dance Fit, in Skeldergate, will be starting out on their new careers this summer - with high hopes of performing on the stages in the West End in the future.

Annalie's mother, Annette, said: "Annalie has wanted to be on the stage since she was ten. We sent her for dancing lessons at the age of five and she has been dedicated ever since.

"Performing is all she wants to do, it's her life. We are so thrilled that she has been offered a place. She was in the middle of taking A' levels at York College, but this is such a fantastic opportunity that she just couldn't turn down."

Ian's mum, Pauline, said: "He's had a burning ambition to be on the stage for years.

It's all he's ever wanted to do - dance and sing. He's got the bug from seeing West End shows and he wants to be a part of it."

Phil Winston, leader of Theatreworks, said: "They both showed great direction, drive and purpose. So many young people don't know where they want to go and have no direction in life, so it makes a refreshing change to see enthusiasm."

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