A PROMISING young ballerina faces a race against time to repair her promising career after breaking a leg.

Samantha Johns, 13, of Corporation Street, Clitheroe, is battling back to fitness in time to compete in a major scholarship early next year.

Samantha ended up in Blackburn Royal Infirmary after being hit by a car outside her home.

Just days earlier she had been spotted by talent scouts while taking top ballet and theatre craft examinations. Samantha, who attends Clitheroe Royal Grammar School and the Sutcliffe Theatre School, Clitheroe, has been nominated for a top dance scholarship by the International Dance Teachers Association.

She now has the chance to vie with other talented young dancers for financial backing to progress her career.

"I was walking home from a friend's house and was hit by a car while I crossed the road," she said. "I was taken to hospital and told my leg was broken. Hopefully, the plaster cast can come off in six weeks and I will be able to undergo physiotherapy before training for the scholarship.

"I don't think my chances of a dance career have been dashed," she added.

Staff and pupils at the Sutcliffe Theatre School are to hold a special party for Samantha tonight.

Proprietor Gladys Sutcliffe, who described her as one of the best young dancers in the country, said she was a hard-working and committed pupil who deserved every success.

"Samantha received scholarship nominations for both classical ballet and theatre craft. To receive one nomination is an honour, but two gives you some idea of how talented she is," Gladys said.

Samantha's mum, Annette, is a former professional dancer, while sisters Sasha and Poppy, and brother Simon, also attend the Sutcliffe Theatre School.

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