A HOYLAND dancer who appeared in the Channel Four series Big Ballet has won praise for her performance in The Nutcracker Story at the Royal Ballet School in London.
Along with other members of Big Ballet, Emma Roby, 23, took part last week in the group's first commercial performance. The show was at the International Dance Teachers conference at the Royal Ballet School.
Emma, of Manor Way, is on a mission to spread the word through her home town that anyone can dance if they want to.
She was one of three Barnsley women on the Big Ballet Channel Four programme last year. Featuring Wayne Sleep, it gave ballet dancers of all shapes and sizes a chance to perform at the Royal Ballet School in London.
Emma, along with Donna Hargreaves from Darfield and Jessica Bell from Wath, was chosen from 500 people to take part in a version of Swan Lake.
Emma, who works at Wentworth Castle, said: "I want to promote inclusive dance in Hoyland. Dance is for everyone, no matter what size, shape or colour you are."
