A former pupil of Kirkham Henry Performing Arts Centre in Malton has been awarded with a long service medal with The Royal Ballet.

Samantha Raine was presented with the award at The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London for 25 years with the Royal Ballet company.

Samantha, a retired ballerina, is the ballet mistress of the Royal Ballet, having previously been a soloist with the Company

The ceremony was attended by her mother, Angela and other family members.

Angela said Chief executive of The Royal Opera House, Alex Beard CBE, made a speech about Samantha starting to dance at Kirkham Henry before being offered a place with the Royal |Ballet company at the age of 17.

Angela said: "He also spent quite some time mentioning Sam as Senior Répétiteur raising the standard of The Corps de Ballet. “ It was a very emotional moment listening to Sam’s achievements spoken with sincerity, I know how proud her dad would have been.”