A YOUNG Isle of Wight dancer has been offered a place at a prestigious dance academy.

Jamie Mallon, 16, has been offered a scholarship at Addict Dance Academy ­— a top dance academy in Leicester.

Jamie attended Nikki Cross Dance School and Linda Vincenta Byrne Dance, and was planning on studying for his A-levels at Cowes Enterprise College after achieving successful GCSE results at Christ the King College.

His fate shifted, however, when he attended the Louie Spence Masterclass workshop held at The Mountbatten Centre, in Portsmouth, and was taught by Louie Spence and three other top industry choreographers.

Around 60 dancers took part, and all four teachers were impressed by the promising young Islander, offering him a place on their BTEC extended diploma in performing arts the very same day.

Jamie accepted, which meant his family had to organise moving him up to Leicester in just a week ­— but he's already loving his new home.

"I am so proud of him," said Jamie's mother, Jackie.

"He's following his dreams and he's worked so hard for it."