FORMER Beaminster School pupil Ria Hillier pulled off a coup when she staged a dance showcase at her old school.

Ria, 22, studied dance and choreography at Winchester University and after graduating last October has been working with Beaminster School and Salway Ash and Parrett and Axe primary schools to teach dance.

After consultation with head teachers it was decided to offer pupils the chance to learn modern dance, from jazz to hip hop and freestyle.

Since September Miss Hillier has been teaching pupils in weekly classes to get them ready for the concert.

She said: "The showcase went really, really well. There were a few technical difficulties but they were nobody's fault.

"I know all the children really enjoyed it."

As far as she knows this is the first such event to take place at these schools. She added: "I know that dance isn't really available to pupils in this particular area."

The children enjoyed it so much that they asked if they can do another and that may happen in the summer.