The administrator of a dancing school today admitted stealing almost £20,000 from a fund to send pupils to a dance competition in America.

Amanda Williams, 52, admitted fraud at Swindon Crown Court after stealing £19,398 from Bobbi's Dance Academy, which is run by her daughter Bobbi Newman.

Williams took the money, which was to pay for 14 girls to take part in a ten-day visit to the Dance Excellence competition in Los Angeles in April.

Williams, known as Mandy, from Stonebeck Close, Swindon, was arrested in Dorset after she went missing from her home when the embezzlement was discovered as the group were about to fly out to America.

The girls were left stranded and heartbroken at the airport when it transpired that flights and hotels had not been booked and the money was missing.

But the troupe eventually went to the competition after the dancers, their parents and an anonymous donation paid for the trip at the last minute.

And organisers Dance Excellence waived the entry fees and paid for hotels for the girls.

Acting Detective Sergeant Mike Armishaw of Wiltshire Police said following her arrest: "I would personally like to thank all those who assisted in this investigation, especially the girls and their parents who have helped us piece together the circumstances."

Williams was remanded in custody until sentencing on July 10.