Irish dancer heads to world championships

Thatcham teenager Jessica Hawkins has been selected to represent the south east of England

A THATCHAM teenager has been selected to represent the south east of England at the world Irish dancing championships next year in Belfast.

Jessica Hawkins, aged 15, of Hurford Drive, was selected after competing for her place at a qualification competition on Saturday, November 5.

The Kennet School pupil has been dancing since she was seven years old and currently attends the McInerney School of Irish Dancing in Swindon.

She was picked to be one of 10 people to represent her region in the hopes of being the final winner.

To qualify, she danced in front of five judges, and at the world championships she will have to dance in front of a panel of seven judges.

She said: "I used to get nervous but I'm use to it now.

"I like everything about dancing.

"My friends are pleased for me."

Her mother, Jackie Hawkins, said: "We were quite shocked because that's her aim (to get to the world championships).

"We were thinking it was never going to happen and then it did.

"The worlds is the ultimate."