A BOLTON girl who has won a prestigious scholarship with the English National Ballet may not be able to take it up because of a lack of funds.

Now her parents are writing to businesses in the hope of sponsorship to cover the £15,000 needed.

Keith Greenhalgh and his wife Christine, of Brodick Drive, Breightmet, refuse to allow their daughter Danielle's talent go to waste.

They have been told she is as talented as their eldest daughter Emma, currently a soloist with the English National Ballet.

When Danielle, 17, got through the audition, her parents saw it as the reward for years of dedication.

She has been dancing since the age of three, and has lived away from home since she was 11, while training with the Royal National Ballet. But her parents' delight turned to despair when they heard what the cost of success would be.

Course fees are £7,500, and living expenses and accommodation amount to £4,000. Even her ballet shoes cost £200.

Keith, who works as an upholsterer, said council grants are now only available for people on income support.

He said: "Some parents take their children to riding school or the Brownies. We took ours to ballet school.

"We had no idea that the two of them would have such a wonderful talent. Only a few weeks ago Emma was performing with the National Ballet at the Palace Theatre in Manchester. "Danielle has put in all this time and effort to follow in her footsteps, and there is no way I am going to let it slip away.

"There is enough equity in the house for us to re-mortgage it, but obviously we would rather not do that. So we are asking local businesses to help if they can."

The family have only until September, when the course starts, to raise the funds.

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