Big Ballet group are dancing to top award

A group of plus-size women who broke the mould when they appeared Channel 4’s Big Ballet are hoping they can secure a top award in a national competition.

Eleven amateur dancers from the troupe who performed Swan Lake, which was broadcast earlier this year, teamed up with choreographer Daniel Jones to form Big Ballet UK - a ballet group for women all shapes and sizes - and they are in the running for a British Plus Size Award.

The group and Mr Jones - which includes Mirfield mum Carol Hartley and Gomersal St Mary’s Primary School teacher Emma Wilson, from Liversedge - have been nominated for the Best Achievement award.

Mrs Hartley, 40, of Park Avenue, said: “It has been really humbling to be nominated and we’re all really excited.

“It just proves that it doesn’t matter what shape or size you are, you can be a ballet dancer.”

The group have danced at a Royal Ballet School event in August and they been invited to perform at MOVE IT - one of Europe’s biggest dance exhibitions - in February next year.

Voting closes on Tuesday and the winners will be announced at a ceremony on November 22.

To vote visit www.britishplussizeawards.co.uk/vote