A YOUNG dancer is celebrating after being crowned a national champion.

Grace Ward, 11, saw off the competition to win the national juvenile Latin championship in Blackpool.

The pupil of Thorpe Hall School, Great Wakering, returned to Blackpool just a year after appearing on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing Blackpool special.

Not ready to take a break, Grace, of Little Wakering Road, Barling, will be competing in Kiev, Ukraine, and Paris before Christmas.

Dad Simon, 41, said: “I’m really proud of her. We had only just come back from Athens when she won in Blackpool and we still haven’t come down from it.” The youngster trains in London, Southampton and regularly flies to Ukraine to practise with her partner Daniel, aged 11.

Grace said: “We did the cha-cha, samba, rumba and jive in Blackpool, but I think rumba is my favourite. I can do more of the moves and it’s a little easier.

“I wore a long-sleeved green dress.

I can’t wear sequins until I’m 12 but I’m looking forward to all the sparkle.”

Grace, who is supported at competitions by her mum, dad, and two brothers, wants to be a professional dancer.

She began dancing aged five after becoming hooked on Strictly. Six years on, Grace has won countless awards in ballroom and Latin and will hold the national trophy for a year.

Mr Ward said: “I’ve immersed myself in it. At weekends we go to Ukraine to train and the price of all that and the costumes, you don’t want to know.”

The family are seeking a sponsor for Grace to help with her training expenses. To find out more, email trudiward@aol.com