A GREENOCK dance teacher has paid a poignant tribute to her beloved papa by setting up a scholarship in his name.

Lauren Hair,  who runs Pointe Perfect dance studio, says she sorely misses her papa Ivie Hair who passed away when she was just five years old.

Now, in a touching tribute to Ivie, who was a well known businessman in Greenock, Lauren has created the ‘Ivie Hair Scholarship’.

The 22-year-old says this is her way of giving something back to her incredibly hard-working dancers and at the same time keeps her papa’s memory alive.

She said: “My papa is obviously not here to see my dance school so I thought it would be nice to have this scholarship in his memory.

“He passed away when I was five but I still want to remember him as he was the best and most amazing person anyone could ever meet.

“He started up his own business running buses and taxis in Greenock.

“He had such a good work ethic and that’s what I’m trying to instil in the kids, that if you want something enough, then it’s important to work hard.

“I think he would be so proud of me and the fact that I’ve started up my own business too.”

As part of the scholarship, one of Lauren’s dancers will win one year’s tuition free from January next year to December and be the face of Pointe Perfect.

To win the scholarship, Lauren’s pupils were tasked with creating a scrapbook or write down why they should win the prize.

Auditions have also been held before the final winner is announced at the end of year show in Port Glasgow High School on Monday December 19.

Lauren added: “I am totally blown away at the amount of effort and thought that the kids have put into it and they have done it all themselves.

“Some of the things they have written literally had me in tears.

“Lots of the children even said they would like their friends to win.

“I also organised auditions where the kids were asked some questions.

“We also looked back at their attendance, effort and improvements they’ve made throughout the year.”

The winner will be announced at the dance school’s end of year show.”

Lauren, who’s thanked local business Keepsakes for Buttons after they raised money to help her buy a new ‘tumble track’ for her dancers, says her studio is thriving and she has drawn up expansion plans.

She said: “When I started the school I just had two kids in the hall but we have grown and grown.

“Now the kids are doing really well at competitions.

“I’m also hoping to open my own studio in Duff Street, near Cathcart Street.”