Dance pupils who shone in their recent exams are preparing to showcase their talents in a Christmas production of Walt Disney's The Lion King.

Youngsters at Nicola Ivinson's School of Dance have been busy learning new routines for the show which will take to the stage at Harraby Community Theatre, Carlisle, in December.

Preparations for the Christmas show got underway last month, weeks after pupils gained their latest exams results.

Pupils, aged five to 16, had a lot to celebrate after receiving excellent International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) results in ballet and theatre craft - all receiving a merit or distinction.

Two examiners visited the dance school over as many days.

Owner Nicola Ivinson said: "It was lovely to receive wonderful feedback from both examiners on the standard of dancing but also the level of detail shown throughout all of the grades covered.

"The children worked extremely hard in lessons and their results reflect their great work. I am very proud of all my pupils in achieving such fantastic results."

Among the success stories was 12-year-old Sophie Marsh, who attends classes in Brampton.

She took her Grade 4 Ballet Exam and was nominated by the examiner to go through to the International Theatre Dance Awards in Manchester in February. She is one of 500 out of more than 7,500, who take the exams, to have been nominated.

It's something Nicola highlighted as a "fantastic achievement".

She said: "The examiner that nominated Sophie is on the Ballet Faculty so makes this more special.

"Being nominated and receiving a fantastic mark makes all of the hard work and preparations all worth it."

The school, which holds classes in Brampton, Ivegill and Kirkoswald, will learn the routines for the Christmas show in their weekly classes until a few weeks before the performances when the classes are mixed and Nicola begins to piece the show together.

She added: "Having done exam work from January - July with three exam days in this time, the shows are a great way to showcase the students talents.

"It is great for friends and family of pupils to see how the children have progressed throughout the year."

Nicola thanks all those who helped over the exam dates including musical operator Kate Richardson, Pat Ivinson and Michelle Marsh.