An owner of a dance school is thrilled to reach one year of business and looks forward to seeing what the future brings for the company.

Hannah Finnigan, owner and dance teacher at Hannah Lucy Stage School in Haltwhistle, is reflecting on her time as a business owner as looks forward to celebrating her first year anniversary.

"It seems to have been the fastest year," Hannah said,

"Within that time we have run three exam sessions with 100% pass rates in each.

"It still feels very surreal having my own studio after having that dream for so long but it’s the best feeling in the world.

"Everything I do with classes and discos is for the students and local children.

"With being so rural I believe that the children need things to do, clubs to join and a place to come and learn new skills"

"We absolutely knew we’d reach our one-year anniversary, I have a great support unit of parents and students.

"On Saturday, June 26 we are having an anniversary disco where the students can come and party, play games and have another chance of decorating the wall in the student area of the studio.

Hannah has big plans for the studio, including a show on November 26 and 27 November where students are fundraising for props and costumes.

She adds: "The venue is all booked ready for the two big days and everything else is being prepared behind the scenes. 

"We haven’t started our proper fund raising but we have raised £57 with our Easter raffle, which is going towards the show.

"Throughout the summer holidays we will be doing another sponsored walk where each student's target is to walk 30 miles in one month.

"All monies raised will go towards sets, props and costumes for our showcase. The more we raise the better we can get.

"My aim is to raise enough to buy all of the costumes and then simply loan them out to the students, therefore keeping all costs down for the parents when it comes to show time.

"We are also on the look out for a local business to sponsor us, gaining them the publicity within the studio, social media, show programmes and much more."