A TROUPE of young dancers are jumping for joy, thanks to the generosity of Christmas shoppers.

On Your Toes School of Dancing in Haverfordwest spent the day packing bags in the town's Tesco store recently, clocking up and amazing £630.

The money will pay for a bus to Birmingham, where the older students will be fitted for pointe shoes by an experienced fitter.

Said school principal Hannah La Trobe: "This fundraising means that each and every one of my students, regardless of their personal circumstances, can be granted the opportunity to continue training at a higher level in an art form they love."

With a pair of pointe shoes costings anything from £100 to £200, many young dancers are forced to miss out on progressing their studies.

"As a former full-time ballet student I am fully aware of the physical damage a poorly fitted or non-fitted pair of pointe shoes can do," said Hannah.

"I also understand that the worry of cost can cause a great deal of emotional strain for both parents and students.

"This means that something my students have been enjoying and working hard at since the age of three or four could inadvertently now create real difficulties and pressure for families.

"This pot of money is to be equally shared among the higher-level students, for a bus in January to a reputable pointe shoe fitter as well as help towards some of the added costs of the shoes themselves.

"This will mean that all the students can continue with their ballet training on an equal footing to one another without worry."

A fundraising Christmas coffee morning, complete with mulled wine, mince pies, and displays from the school's dancers, will take place at Tabernacle Hall, Barn Street, Haverfordwest, between 9am and 2pm this Saturday (December 15).

All money raised will go towards the cost of shoes, and all are welcome to come along, enjoy a festive treat, and see the dancers in action.

On Your Toes School of Dancing thanked everyone who has supported the fundraising so far, including Nathan Palmer & Son, Darren Brick carpentry, and The Engraving Company.