Last updated 19:42, Thursday, 17 July 2008

TALENTED Brigham dancer Nicole Dixon is looking for funding so that she can live her dreamand attend a top performance school.

TALENTED: Brigham dancer Nicole Dixon

The 12-year-old Cockermouth School pupil has been offered a place at Tring Park, Hertfordshire - one of the leading arts schools in the country.

But to be accepted she must raise £15,000 of the £24,000 a year tuition fees.

Nicole has already raised more than £2,000 by holding a garden sale as well as donations from Cumbria Community Foundation and the Yorkshire Society and Individuals, which gives money to talented children.

Her mum Lorraine, 42, said this would be a chance of a lifetime.

She said: “This is something that Nicole has wanted to do for a long time and she has worked exceptionally hard.

“She is just a normal girl who has an ambition and as a parent we want to help and support her as much as we can.”

Nicole auditioned for her place in February and just missed out on a scholarship. The course offers her the chance to develop her dancing skills as well as being taught acting and singing.

Her dream is to perform in theatre’s or in West End productions.

Lorraine said: “Nicole would be given a chance to fulfil her ambition if she was able to attend.

“She is no stranger to raising money for good causes and has done a lot of charity work herself, most recently when she danced for former mayor of Allerdale, Ron Mumby's chosen charities.”

Over the last two years Nicole's dedicated parents have supported her as a junior associate with the Royal Ballet School in Manchester and drive her down to Birmingham every weekend to attend the Royal Ballet School’s mid associate programme. They will attend an international summer school at White Lodge, Richmond, later this month.

Last month Nicole was awarded the junior performance award by the English Youth Ballet company for her role as Princess Aurora's friend in Sleeping Beauty.

Nicole attends the Mulgrew School of Dance in Maryport and Lorraine says the teaching she has received has helped her on her way to her dream.

She said: “Hillary White, Teresa Rodney and Helen Young have been fantastic and helped Nicole get to where she is now. Without their support she would not have had this opportunity.”

If anyone would like to help Nicole contact Lorraine on 07515276214.