A young dancer has been chosen ahead of hundreds of hopefuls to secure a place in a professional ballet production. 

Shantana Hull-Jurkovic of Beresford Road, Chingford, is currently rehearsing to take part in the  English Youth Ballet's production of Swan Lake on April 24 and 25 at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury. 

The 11-year-old is one of 105 dancers sged 8 to 18 who were selected from hundreds of hopefuls during the double audition in November.

Shantana and others will fulfil the role of soloist and corps de ballet -a group of dancers who often work as the backdrop for principal dancers. 

Principal dancer Oliver Speers, said: "The young dancers are treated like professional dancers during rehearsals – we work them hard but the results are fantastic. 

"They learn what the life of a professional dancer is like. They are living their dream and they just love it."