A GREENOCK school pupil stepped up to the plate when she stood in for her sick classmate and led a Scottish country dancing team to victory at the music festival.

Disaster struck Aileymill Primary School’s P4 and P5 group when one of the team had to pull out at the last minute due to illness.

But Skye McLellan saved the day after she agreed to stand in — and somehow managed to pick up all the steps within a matters of hours.

Despite feeling nervous, Skye was determined to help her classmates so she performed with them in front of a packed audience at Greenock Town Hall.

It paid off in style when the team triumphed to take home the silverware.

Skye said: “A girl who was supposed to be dancing was sick so I was asked if I would dance instead.

“I only had from 9.15 until 11.40am to learn the dance but my friends helped me because they were teaching me.

“I was nervous because I didn’t know if I would remember the steps but I did. It feels great to win.”

Teacher Ashley Bell and additional support needs assistant Graham Carson, who worked round the clock to prepare the pupils ahead of the festival, were delighted with the school’s dramatic victory.

Graham said: “Skye learned the dance in the morning because one of the pupils couldn’t make it.

“It’s amazing how she picked it up in just a couple of hours.”

The adjudicators praised Aileymill Primary and all the other schools who performed, including Ardgowan Primary’s Arran team who achieved second place.

The festival continues at the town hall today.