A YOUNG dancer from Stroud is set to perform on the stage at London's Bloomsbury Theatre.

Samuel Banks from Stonehouse, 18, will be taking part in Central School of Ballet’s annual summer performance on July 18 and 19.

He will be joining over 100 dancers from Central’s undergraduate degree programmes in a celebration of dance achievement at the end of their academic year.

Samuel has been dancing since he was two and a half years old and has just completed his first year of training at Central School of Ballet.

Selected from over 300 applicants, he was one of just 34 students to secure a coveted place last September on Central’s BA (Hons) degree in Professional Dance and Performance programme.

The 18-year-old studied dance at the Sally Prout School of Dancing in Stonehouse and was a student at Maidenhill School before commencing his professional training in London aged 16.

Samuel said of his experience to date at Central in London: “I love being surrounded by other hardworking students who are driven to become professional dancers.

"There’s a real family atmosphere at Central which is helpful as the training requires determination and discipline.

"We train six hours a day, six days a week but we’re all motivated and positive."

He added: “I am really looking forward to performing in Central’s Summer Performance to demonstrate my progress and new skills.”

Heidi Hall, director of Central said: “Our annual Summer Performance is an opportunity for the students to experience the joy of performing in front of ticket-buying audiences, allowing them to demonstrate their enhanced skills – this is what drives student dancers to succeed as professional dancers.”

Students typically join Central age 16 on completion of their GCSEs and many will have been dancing since primary school.

Graduates from Central often go on to join the world’s premier dance companies.