Ref. 29616-15TWO keen ballet dancers have taken a step closer to their dream of becoming professionals.

Lucy Gallagher and Lucy Jefferies, both Hreod Parkway pupils from Haydon Wick, beat more than 50 competitors to win prizes at an international ballet competition.

They took part in the International Ballet Awards at Queen Mary's College, in London, earlier this month.

Lucy Gallagher won the Grade Four class and came away with a trophy and £75.

Lucy Jefferies won the musicality section of the same group and was awarded a trophy and £10.

Lucy Gallagher, 11, who has been dancing since she was six-and-a-half, said she practiced seven days a week.

"I was excited when I found out I had won," she said.

"I'm going to spend the money on new ballet shoes."

Lucy Jefferies, 12, started ballet when she was just three and said she never suffered from nerves, even in the big competitions.

She said she was surprised to win her prize, even though she has a big collection of trophies at home.

The girls' ballet teacher, Sarah Watson, of the Swindon Academy of Dance, said that their prizes were very well deserved.

"To have two children in the same grade win these awards in such a prestigious competition is almost unheard of," she said.

"We would usually expect to have one every 10 years."