HE'S been dancing since he was 14 and has toured countries as varied as Australia, America and Holland, performing with the likes of Rudolf Nureyev.

Now the Vienna Festival Ballet's artistic director Peter Mallek is bringing his talented company to Blackburn with a production of Swan Lake.

Founded 24 years ago, the Festival Ballet aims to allow young dancers to perform classical ballet.

The average age of the dancers is 20 years old - which could explain why their performances are described as fresh and energetic.

Swan Lake -Tchaikovsky's masterpiece - which comes to King George's Hall on March 3, tells the famous story of Prince Siegfried who falls in love with a woman, Odette, who has been transformed into a swan by the evil Baron Rothbart.

Only when a man swears undying love for her can the spell be broken.

However, Rothbart is determined to thwart their love and tries to trick Siegfried into falling in love with his daughter Odile instead.

The Festival Ballet gave its first performance in Brighton in 1980.

The company's subsequent success can be attributed to Peter's achievement in attracting many famous choreographers and dancers to work alongside him.

The company's repertoire has grown steadily over the years.

Each of the ballets are full length and choreographed after the originals.

Most recently the company has staged La Sylphide, with enormous success, which was performed alongside Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.

The company's wardrobe and technical staff have worked hard to produce glamorous costumes and beautiful sets, which are both imaginative and portable.

Swan Lake will be performed at King George's Hall, Blackburn, on Wednesday, March 3 at 7pm.

For tickets, call (01254) 582582 or (0870) 6063409.