A TALENTED young dancer took a big step in the right direction after winning a major competition.

Freestyle dancer Jade Scott, who attends Lorraine Blue School of Dance, was overwhelmed to win the Argyll and Bute Championship under-14 starter award in Dunoon.

The 12-year-old, who is in first year at Clydeview Academy, said she was very nervous but managed to keep calm when the pressure was on.

She said: "It felt amazing to win.

"Before I danced it was nerve-rracking but I just blocked everyone out and did my best.

"It was great as my whole dance school was there to cheer me on, and my mum too."

This is not the first time success for Jade as she won the same competition last year in the under-12 category.

Jade's mum Trasi McFarlane, of Greenock's Cumberland Road, says she is 'so proud' of her daughter.

She added: "If she wins she wins, if she loses she loses, the most important thing to her is supporting her friends.

"She takes everything in her stride."

Following her big win, Jade is now competing at the higher 'intermediate' level and claimed third place in that category at a contest in Scotstoun at the weekend.

Trasi says that she is so grateful to Jade's dance teacher Lorraine and her daughter Neve, who is in sixth year at Clydeview Academy and has been teaching Jade.

Trasi said: "Neve has been working with Jade and taking her for private lessons which has been a great help to her."