Three pupils from a dance academy based in Brecon are celebrating after gaining places to study at a specialist performing arts college.

Seren Gillespie, Phoebe Fletcher and Laurence Masters of the Mid Wales Dance Academy (MWDA) are pursuing their dreams of becoming professional performers.

The talented trio have gained places to train full time at The Hammond School, a specialist performing arts college in Chester where Lesley Walker, founder of MWDA, originally trained.

MWDA is based at Theatr Brycheiniog and teaches more than 200 pupils to dance every week during term time. The ages range from 3 to 18 and there are classes for boys and girls. Classes are available in the three disciplines of Ballet, Tap dance and Street dance.

The Academy has a committed team of qualified and experienced teachers delivering the classes. The high point of the year is their annual showcase - a series of three performances onstage at Theatr Brycheiniog, in front of packed audiences.

Over the last 15 years, 20 MWDA pupils have successfully auditioned for some of the UK’s top full-time training schools and colleges and many of these former pupils are now professional dancers or musical theatre performers, working in Wales, throughout the UK and overseas.

Some of MWDA's former students can also be seen performing as professionals in Brecon Festival Ballet’s annual performances of “The Nutcracker”.

A spokesperson for MWDA said "We wish Seren, Phoebe and Laurence all the best in their new adventure and audiences may be able to spot these talented youngsters when they return in December to take part in Brecon Festival Ballet’s 'The Nutcracker' performances!"