BUDDING ballet stars enjoyed a double celebration after passing their Royal Academy dancing exams and being awarded trophies by their teacher.

This year nine students, including one boy, passed their primary and grade one dancing certificates.

Their teacher, Jenny Glover, also awarded pupils her own trophies to reward those that have worked hard throughout the year.

Emma Driver won the Academy Cup for being the best all-round artiste and Daniel Phillips was awarded the Discipline in Dancing Cup.

Jenny said: "All my students have done really well this year and the cups I award to pupils are a way of encouraging and rewarding their effort and dedication to their dancing."

The dancing school now holds its lessons in the state of the art dance studios at the new Budmouth Community Sports Centre.

Jenny, who won a scholarship to the Legat School of Russian Ballet when she was seven years old, has worked as a professional dancer all over the world.

She formed the Mercury dance academy in September 2000 and now teaches 45 pupils between the ages of three and 12.