A Year Three pupil from Sidcup has earned herself a place at the prestigious Royal Ballet School at the age of eight.

Summer Cambden, who has trained at the Jane Harris School of Dance in Beckenham since she was three, auditioned for the school on the recommendation of her teacher.

Summer's mother, Hayley, told News Shopper her daughter's chances of being accepted into the school were slim, but she wanted to take her for the experience.

"I didn't build her hopes up at all," she said, adding that the school was viewing as many as 30 to 40 ballet dancers every hour during the auditions, with only limited places available.

After an audition during the May half term, Summer and her family eagerly awaited the school's decision.

Three weeks later, the budding ballerina received the news she had won herself a place at the school - and is now due to attend to sessions every Saturday.

Mrs Cambden said her daughter "cried and then laughed; and then cried and then laughed" when she heard the news.

"She was so excited she couldn't eat her dinner or get to sleep," her mother added.

Summer will start her ballet lessons in September. Her mother told News Shopper Summer cannot wait to get started and wear her new Royal Ballet School uniform.