A YOUNG dancer is becoming a regular on the stage and his parents say they couldn't be more proud.

Benjamin Sears, aged ten, who lives with family in Warndon Villages, was one of only a handful of dancers chosen from the Academy Dance School in Worcester to dance alongside professionals at last year's performance of the Nutcracker at Birmingham Hippodrome.

Ben took on the role of Fritz, and practised hard to make sure he was on form to perform before hundreds of people.

Now the St Joseph's Catholic Primary School pupil has been asked back by the Birmingham Royal Ballet to appear in their performance of Sylvia at the Hippodrome, starting on June 24.

The ballet tells the story of marital strife and takes a trip back in time to the age of mythical Rome in order to teach a lesson about love.

Ben's father, Matt, said: "We are very proud of Ben. It was a great thing for him to get the Nutcracker role, which was bigger than the current production. He absolutely loved performing in the Nutcracker and is really excited about Sylvia too.

"He will be rehearsing hard between now and when the show starts.

"After he finished the Nutcracker, Ben kept on saying 'I wonder what's next'. Then someone from the Royal Ballet attended one of his classes and we got a phone call a week later saying they were impressed by Ben and wanted him in Sylvia. He was thrilled."

Ben's mother, Helen Sears, set up the Academy Dance School 22 years ago.

She said: "Ben just loves to dance, and sing, and to act. He loves the theatre.

"He loves watching ballet and the Academy is like his second home. He's made a lot of good friends there and all of them are really proud of him. We just can't wait to see him on stage."