A TEENAGER has won a part in a professional ballet production despite breaking her foot dancing with Wayne Sleep!

Jennifer Smith, 13, a pupil at Dorothy Bruce School of Dance, Accrington, fractured two bones during a lesson with the legendary dancer in the summer.

The wannabe star from Simonstone, was attending one of his workshops when she fell awkwardly during a jazz routine.

But she paid tribute to Sleep after beating off competition from hundreds of others dancers to secure her a part in the Nutcracker.

The Bowland High School, Grindleton, pupil said her confidence was boosted by the star, who sat with her while she cradled her foot after the accident.

Jennifer is the only dancer from her school to be chosen for the show, which is being put on by the English Youth Ballet in May.

The English Youth Ballet takes large scale classical productions from London to regional theatres across the country using the local talent from each area.

Jennifer said she felt lucky to have danced with Sleep on more than one occasion and thanks her idol for passing on his advice.

Sleep made his name when he set a world record by doing an entrechat douze a jump in six beats and his record still stands.

Rehearsals for the Nutcracker at Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, start in April and Jennifer is determined to get noticed.

She said: "I want to be a professional dancer when I grow up. This could be the first step. There isn't really an age limit to becoming a professional it's just about being seen.

"I love dancing. I don't want to do anything else. I can't wait to meet Wayne again. He is such a great teacher and really funny too."

Jennifer lives in Whins Lane, with her mum Janet, dad John and sister Gill, 18.

Her mum said: "We are very proud of her. It is a great chance for dancers from the north to take part in such shows which are usually only ever in London.

"It is all thanks to her ballet teacher Dorothy who has encouraged her so much over the last 10 years."