A talented schoolgirl dancer has been picked to be part of a prestigious dance troupe over the summer.

English Youth Ballet (EYB) will be performing Coppelia next month, starring international principal dancers and 95 of the finest dancers between eight and 18 from Essex.

Ormiston Rivers Academy pupil Rachel Cottee, 13, of Maldon Road, Burnham, will be part of the corps de ballet, after being picked from a large audition group of more than 200 in February.

Rachel is “really, really excited but a little nervous” to be part of the production, the biggest she has been involved with since she started dancing age five.