A PEEBLES High School pupil is rapidly rising up the ranks in the world of Highland dancing.

Teenager Imogen Smith, who trains at The Fiona Henderson School of Dance in Peebles, recently won a major competition at ‘pre-championship’ level.

The win has earned the 15-year-old the right to compete at Championship level, allowing Imogen to travel to Dunoon in August, where she will compete in the World Highland Dancing Championships.

Imogen’s achievements are particularly impressive, given that many dancers try for years and never make it past the ‘pre-championship’ tier.

She has competed all over Scotland and already has an accolade of medals and trophies to her name.

As well as Highland Dancing, the youngster also takes classes in Ballet, Jazz, Tap and more.

Her dance teacher, Fiona Henderson said: “Imogen is a hard-working and committed dancer in all the subjects she takes. She is a particularly talented Highland dancer and it has been wonderful to see her multiple successes and rapid rise up the competition ranks.”

“For her to reach Championship level in such a short space of time is an incredible achievement.”