DANCERS from a Blackburn school have notched up their first GCSE-equivalent qualifications, at the tender age of seven.

The qualifications board British Theatre Dance Association, has accredited all its dance grades to GCSEs and it means that youngsters are turning their hobby into qualifications.

Now 48 dancers aged from seven up, from Pat Eakets school in Wesley Hall, Feilden street, Blackburn, have passed their tap, jazz and modern dance certificates with grades ranging from A to E just like their academic equivalents.

Teacher Becky Herbert said: "The dancers have been working through their grades as normal but now they are stamped and accredited to the equivalent of GCSEs.

"First they have to do preparatory and primary grades but once they get on to level one, that is equivalent to a GCSE grade D to G, then up to level 4 which is the same as grades A to C.

"Their exams involve theory and dance so we think it is appropriate for youngsters who dedicate their time to dance and consider it as a career that it is given an equivalent academic value."