STEP aside Michael Flatley — Bolton has its very own Lady of the Dance.

Mairead Williams stomped her way to success last Saturday when she won the North West Regional Irish Dancing competition — despite previously breaking both her feet.

The Thornleigh Salesian College pupil fell and broke her left foot while dancing in 2011, then a year later she broke her right foot, and she feared she would never be able to compete again.

But after months of training and building up her strength, the teenager was finally able to lift the first place trophy she had always dreamed of winning.

The 14-year-old said: "I have broken both my feet in the last three years. I broke the left one first. I went over funny on my foot when I bumped into another dancer, and then I broke the right foot a year later.

"I was really upset both times because it meant I couldn't train and I missed a competition. I was really worried I wouldn't be able to continue dancing. It was really hard watching everyone else dancing and I had to sit out.

"But I was determined to build my strength back up both times, and after always coming second and third, I finally won the North West competition.

"My mum used to dance with my aunty and uncles but stopped when she was about my age."

Mairead got into dancing when she was aged four and was competing by the age of eight.

She added: "I used to love doing different dances with my friends and making up routines. I also love getting dressed up in the sparkly outfits.

"I really want to continue dancing as an adult and feel proud that I can carry it on in the family after mum."

Proud mum Siobhain Gleeson-D'Attorre and stepdad Ralph D'Attorre cheered her on as she took the trophy in the under-14s category at the competition, in Oldham.

"She has also qualified for the World Championships in Montreal next year.

Mrs Gleeson-D'Attorre, of Hallbridge Gardens, Bolton, said: "She took to dancing like a duck to water when she was a youngster and despite breaking her feet she has come really far. I'm very, very proud of her."