AN online effort spanning the continent has resulted in five dancing hopefuls to take the new step up the ladder.

Coronavirus restrictions have proved to be a real challenge for the Frances Bleasdale School of Dancing.

But the Kensington Street school could call upon international assistance to enable five students to pass their Ceccehetti ballet examination, set by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.

Laura and Bethany Hooper logged on from the Netherlands and Cyprus to help guide Abigail Deavall, Millie Mercer, Anuj Mishra, Charlotte Depares and Maia Latchford, alongside local tutors Caroline Roach and Christine Axon.

A school spokesman said: “From lockdown in March the students have attended between three and seven classes weekly, online or in person, to achieve this demanding vocational qualification. This is despite the stress and difficulty of studying for their GCSEs in lockdown.

“The school would like to congratulate them on their success, which is a stepping stone towards a career in dance or dance teaching.”

Since the first lockdown the school, founded in 1930, has conducted classes and online sessions.