ASPIRING ballet dancer Leon Metelsky is en pointe to fulfil his dream of dancing in The Nutcracker.

Leon, who is in Year 6 at Ferndown Middle School, beat hundreds of other young performers to gain a place at one of the world's most prestigious ballet centres.

After starting dance classes at the age of three it quickly became clear that Leon had both the feet and passion for ballet.

And now after years of training he has become one of just 12 boys from across the world to secure a place at the Royal Ballet School in London for the upcoming school year.

The school, which has a campus in Richmond Park and Covent Garden, has produced some of the world's greatest ballet dancers including English darling Darcey Bussell.

And Leon hopes that after attending the school he too will become one of the greats.

"I'm really excited to start at the school it's going to be brilliant," said Leon, whose favourite ballet dancer is Steven McRae.

"My parents were both dancers and my two older sisters are dancers so it was always in my blood.

"I'm just glad that after all the work both them and I have put in it has paid off."

Leon had to audition twice before getting the letter to say he had secured a place at the school.

"I wasn't really nervous about it as I am already a junior associate with the Royal Ballet School so I knew what they were looking for and was well rehearsed.

"I just can't wait for September to come so I can start there."

Leon's parents Tanya and Vitaly took him to Prompt Corner Academy of Dance in Ensbury Community Centre when he was three.

"From when he could walk he would tell us that he wanted to take dance classes," said mum Tanya.

"So when he was old enough we took him along to the same school as his sisters and he just loved it.

"That's the thing with Leon, he has always had such a passion for dance and it comes out when he performs.

"As a parent it's scary to think of him going off to live away for school at only 11 but he spent a week at the school over the summer last year and said it was the best week of his life so we know he will be happy."

Katy Chaldecott-Gill, who runs Prompt Corner Academy of Dance, said it's Leon's passion for ballet that has managed to get him so far.

"You have students that come in with the right body and feet but if they don't love dance then it just looks like hard work," she said.

"But Leon always looks like he is loving every second and is a pleasure to teach.

"We are so thrilled for him and he is an inspiration to the younger dancers who look at him and realise it can happen and your dreams can come true."

Speaking of dreams, it is Leon's to one day perform in one of the world's most famous ballets - The Nutcracker