MORE than 100 children from across Tweeddale descended on Peebles at the weekend for a dancing spectacular.

Youngsters from two years old up to 12 took part in the annual Fiona Henderson School of Dance and Performing Arts shows at the Eastgate Theatre.

And, yet again, both sell-out shows were an amazing success.

Fiona, who is the principal teacher and artistic director, told us: “I can’t believe I have been lucky enough to do a job I love for 30 years.

“It has been an incredible journey thus far and I’m very proud of all the achievements of the children and young people I teach.

“We are a very hard working school in terms of the number of exam sittings and performances we undertake each year, but all our pupils love to be busy learning new things, they all love to dance and love to perform for audiences.” Preparation for the show started in February and the children performed ballet, tap, Highland, modern, jazz, contemporary and musical theatre dance styles.

Established in 1985 and moved to Peebles 10 years ago, the Fiona Henderson School of Dance and Performing Arts celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

The junior school show was the first in a number of activities that are planned this year as part of the 30 years celebration.

The next event is a Senior School summer holiday intensive course for young people aged 12 to 18 years during July.

There will also be a junior holiday dance course for children aged five to 11 years the following month.

And the school will also debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe performance on August 28 at the Emerald Theatre in Edinburgh.

The dance School, which has over 300 pupils of all ages, offers adult classes a week in ballet, tap, jazz and Highland as well as 39 classes a week for children.

Nicola Paulin, a parent with two daughters in the junior show, said: “My two daughters have been dancing with Fiona Henderson School of Dance and Performing Arts for 10 years now.

“The self-discipline and confidence this has given them is amazing and Fiona helps each pupil to find their potential to enable them to truly shine. I’ve watched all of the shows my girls have been involved in and they just keep getting better and better. I am so full of praise and enthusiasm, I could go on and on.”