DANCERS as young as three shone in a competition, taking away prizes in all 20 dances they entered.

Katy Adams, a performing arts teacher at St Francis' Catholic Primary School in Maldon, set up her own dance group in 2014.

On Saturday, January 23, the Katy Adams School of Performing Arts entered the British Theatre Association competition in Rainham.

More than 35 schools took part from Essex, London, Hertfordshire and Surrey, and Mrs Adams took 25 girls to compete.

She was overjoyed when the girls, aged between three and 15, won prizes in all 20 dances they took part in.

Francis-Marie Walshe, 10, won the Judges Choice award for Most Promising Dancer.

Mrs Adams was also given the Teacher’s Award after her school performed so well.

She said: “They have done amazingly well over the last year, they have come from novices to being able to hold their own in a very prestigious competition.

“I am so proud of them, they have worked so hard.”

The classes run from 10am until 1pm on Saturdays at the school in London Road.