A THEATRE school principal who survived thyroid cancer at the age of 30 is among the stars of a special charity show in March.

Zoe Mather, founder of Centre Stage School of Dance and Performing Arts in Poole, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2014 after developing a lump in her throat.

Thyroid cancer is rare and affects the small gland at the base of the neck that produces hormones.

She underwent a full thyroidectomy, followed by several months of recuperation and will have to take medication for the rest of her life.

Now 34, in remission and expecting her first baby in March, Zoe says she is thrilled her young pupils are set to star alongside a host of other dancers and singers in the charity song and dance spectacular Dancing with Choirs at the Lighthouse theatre on March 10.

Dancing with Choirs will see dance troupes and theatre schools from across the area sharing a stage with choirs for the first time, with all money raised going to the charities Dorset Cancer Care Foundation and Wessex Heartbeat.

Zoe from Penn Hill said: “Being hit by cancer literally turns your world upside down.

"As well as the prospect of having to fight for your life you also have to deal with the everyday difficulties that cancer brings too – the worries, the stress and the financial pressures.

"Charities like Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF) and Wessex Heartbeat are a lifeline, helping people face the practicalities of cancer and providing solutions so they can get on with fighting the disease.

"And that’s why the staff and pupils at Centre Stage jumped at the chance to support these wonderful local charities in Dancing with Choirs."

Centre Stage will share the Lighthouse stage with Just Sing adult choir.

Zoe said: “They have the most amazing voices and we are all so excited about performing on this wonderful platform.”

Other acts include Bournemouth Male Voice Choir, Sound of Soul Choir, the Jamie Lee Dance Academy Choir, Dance Crazy Dance School, Jamie Lee Dance Academy and Parkwood School of Dance.

Dancing with Choirs will be directed by Marie Duffy Pask, choreographer of the internationally-acclaimed ‘Lord of the Dance’. Marie will also be bringing along some of her dancers to perform on the night.

Eve Went, one of the founders of DCCF, said: “Zoe has battled cancer with immense bravery and the support of her wonderful staff and pupils and we are thrilled that she and all the other dance groups and choirs are using their talents to help DCCF.”

Ken Wilde of Wessex Heartbeat said: “We are excited to be teaming up with DCCF and sponsor Goadsby to bring Dancing with Choirs to East Dorset and the fabulous Lighthouse theatre. " Contact the Lighthouse Box Office on 01202 280000.