A LITTLE highland dancer is jumping for joy after winning a trophy bigger than herself at the World Championships.

Isabella Hay finished fifth overall in the Scottish Championships, the equivalent of the World Championships, for eight year olds and she is only seven.

Her dance teacher Linda Jackson and her family were there to cheer her on at the Cowal Highland Gathering.

Linda said: "It was such a fabulous achievement against the rest of the world in her age group."

The pint-sized dancer was so delighted with her trophy she fell into bed clutching it.

Isabella lives with her parents Mariann and John in Kingston Dock in Port Glasgow.

Mariann said: "It is called the Scottish Open Championships but really for that age group it is the equivalent to the world championships, as you can't apply for the 'Worlds' until you are 12 and over.

"I was so proud of her.

"She worked and trained so hard.

"The trophy was so big Linda had to help her carry it."

Isabella is no stranger to awards and recently triumphed at the US Scottish Highland Dance National Championships.

The youngster, a pupil at Jackson Dance Academy took second runner up in her first competition outside the UK.

She also returned home with a trophy, individual medals and $125 in prize money.

The youngster has been a pupil at Jackson Dance Academy since she was just over three years old and attends the school four nights a week, including stage classes.

Isabella is now gearing up for her latest show with Jackson Dance Academy - called Welcome to Wonderland - at the Beacon Arts Centre on Sunday at 7pm.