A TEENAGER from Leominster has been chosen as one of the few artists to represent England at the Dance World Cup in Italy later this year.

Described as determined by her mother Juvy Ward, Franceszqua successfully made it through the auditions process as thousands of young dancers were whittled down to the few representing the country.

Ms Ward said dancing makes her daughter, 13, feel “on top of the world” and has also helped her recover from bullying at primary school.

She said: “I am very proud of her hard work and determination.

“Dancing saved her from the emotional and physical trauma that she suffered due to bullying from her previous school.

“Many young dancers that have known her look up to her as their inspiration.

“Her younger sister looks up to her.”

The St Mary’s Catholic School pupil has been training with the Royal Ballet School’s associate programme, which runs alongside a child’s existing classes, since she was eight.

Franceszqua auditioned to be a part of Team England in the Dance World Cup and after successfully making it through the audition process will be going to Rome this June.

The teams from the UK have dancers such as Arlene Phillips, Wayne Sleep and Debbie Moore as patrons.

More than 20,000 people from 62 countries will take part in the all-genre dance contest, held from June 26 to July 4.

Ms Ward added: “Proud is an understatement. I’m so thankful for how they uphold the Filipino values that I have instilled in them.”