A CARPENTER'S daughter from Oswaldtwistle has fulfilled her childhood dreams and is dancing for a top ballet company in Germany.

Emma Pearson, who married her sweetheart Jan Staneke this month, has dreamed of being a ballet dancer since she was three.

The 23-year-old was born and raised in Oswaldtwistle but has since found fame and fortune with the Stuttgart Ballet Company. She first showed her promise when she started winning competitions as a youngster and when she was 11 she was accepted at the prestigious Royal Ballet School.

Emma went on to the upper school of the world famous dancing academy and before landing her job in Germany. As well as performing in Germany her work has taken the Lancashire lass to America and she will touring China later this year.

Emma met her husband while he was studying in London and he followed her to Germany where he works as an English teacher. Jan is a keen athlete who represented England as a youngster and the couple train together.

Emma returned to her roots in Oswaldtwistle to tie the knot and are currently on honeymoon in the Maldives.

Her proud parents, John and Margaret, travel to Germany around five times a year to see Emma perform. She is a member of the company's corps-de-ballet but has recently performed solos.

Margaret, a 48-year-old bank worker, of Hawthorn Avenue, said: "Ever since Emma was three she has been obsessed by dancing."

She added: "A lot of people don't realise it is extremely tough being a ballet dancer.

"Not only is it extremely demanding physically but all it takes is one serious injury to finish someone's career for good.

"Emma loves it in Germany because the Stuttgart Ballet Company are very prestigious and the dancers are treated very well."

WEDDING DAY: Emma and Jan GRACEFUL: Emma Pearson practising with the prestigious Stuttgart Ballet Company. 'The dancers are treated very well,' says mum Margaret