A TALENTED youngster's dreams hang in the balance because of a funding problem.

Dance-mad Jessica Fidler, 11, a pupil at Brynteg CP School, has been offered the chance to study dance and general education at the Hammond School in Chester.

The problem for her parents Wayne and Bernice Fidler is that despite the offer of a bursary from the school, they must still find the balance of £7,500 per annum to fund her education there.

Mrs Fidler said: “Jessica has lived for dancing since the age of four – the moment we put any music on she danced. At that age we took her to Top Hat and Tails in Tanyfron, now the Delta Academy following an amalgamation.

“As time went on she improved rapidly, and even had an audition at the White Lodge in London, lower school of the Royal Ballet.

“We were advised to try and get her in at the Hammond School, but there’s no way we can afford £7,500 a year to pay the fees.”

Sarah Durrant, head of dance at the Hammond, wrote to the Fidlers, saying: “By passing the audition it is acknowledged that Jessica is of a very high standard and has the potential to attend full-time dance training.

“She should be congratulated for her successful audition, where I was pleased to see excellent potential for future training towards a profession in dance.

“Throughout the audition I observed an obvious love of performance, a sense of enjoyment and a dedicated approach.”

Mrs Fidler added: “What we need now is some sort of advice and guidance on how to apply for a grant to help Jessica out. It would be so sad if insufficient funds meant she had to pass up an opportunity to progress both in dance and general education.

Anyone with ideas on how the family can help Jessica go further with her chosen career can contact Wayne Fidler on 07875 133734.