A fourth year pupil at Largs Academy has gained a place dancing with a prestigious Glasgow youth dance company.

Twinkle toed Rachel Ashmead, 15, was selected from an audition process that sees the top young dancers from across Scotland audition for a limited number of places.

GYDC which is based at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow practice weekly.

The group which is for dancers aged 15-18 perform in various events throughout Scotland.

Rachel, who lives in Hill Street, was part of North Ayrshire Council ‘Nurturing Excellence programme’, and has completed a YDance performance course, as well as being trained for two years with Scottish Ballet associates.

She attends Elite Academy of Dance in Greenock, and the Janice Marshall stage school in Irvine, and is a former pupil at St Mary’s Primary.

Her aim is to hopefully be successful in auditioning for Scotland’s National Youth Dance company.

GYDC are performing along with 14 other selected dance companies at the Macrobert Theatre in Stirling on 21 February.