Vanessa Pang, 16, has gained one of only 15 places for female pupils at the Ballet Rambert School of Contemporary Dance in London.

Vanessa, of Kates Bridge near Bourne, beat off competition from 14,000 other hopefuls to win her place. The normal starting age for pupils at the school is 18, but she will join two years early and will start in September.

Vanessa, who will be leaving Robert Manning College to start at the school, said: "I just feel completely grateful that I've been given such this chance; just to be in the same building as those with endless amounts of experience and success will be wonderful.

"It makes me very ambitious to prove to them that offering me a place was the right decision, and will push me to be the very best.

"From the very first day my first ballet slippers touched my toes, I knew this was the path I wanted to follow.

"Getting into Rambert has not only been an achievement for myself, but both my family and teachers. It really does mean so much, it has been my dream for a long while."

To say goodbye to Vanessa, a celebration evening was held at Robert Manning. The evening included a variety of acts, including music, dance, drama and comedy acts and Vanessa treated the audience to a ballet which she had choreographed herself. The evening was organised by drama teacher Nicola Barnes.

Vanessa said: "Although I am excited about joining Rambert, I am just as sad to be leaving Robert Manning. As all the teachers have been so friendly and approachable. I would especially like to thank Miss Barnes who was the first to introduce me to the world of contemporary ballet and Rambert, without her I would never have taken up contemporary dance training."

Robert Manning prinicpal Laurence Reilly said Vanessa has been a model student. "We will all miss Vanessa but will keep in contact with her as her career develops," he said.

Vanessa hopes to teach dance eventually.