AN Okehampton College student is dancing with joy after she and her stage partner scored the highest mark of the week at the North Devon Performing Arts Festival recently.

Hazel Sturgess, and her dance partner Exeter College student Charlotte Wareham, both 14, were competing against performers from all over Devon, but their winning duet was awarded an astounding 89 marks by the judges — the highest mark of the week. Hazel also won her solo character dance with a mark of 85.

Hazel started ballet lessons at the age of two. Her mother Rachel said: 'Hazel has always been great at dancing, but she's never received the recognition she deserves. I'm so proud of both girls for getting such a high score — finally their skill has been rewarded.'

Hazel was recently accepted for the Devon Youth Dance Company, which gives young performers the chance to work with professional dancers, create new work and perform all over the region.

Following this, she hopes to take part in the Exeter Dance Festival in February, before competing in Paignton at Easter.