A young dancer will have her dreams of performing on a professional ballet stage come true this weekend.

Phoebe Armstrong, 12, of Frances Terrace, Tufnell Park, has been selected from hundreds of hopefuls to dance with the English Youth Ballet (EYB) in its upcoming performance of Giselle on Friday and Saturday.

The budding ballet star is currently engaged in a gruelling 10-day rehearsal camp to prepare for her performance as a wood nymph, and, though she lists blistered feet as one of the downsides, has loved the experience so far.

She said: “The best bits are before the performance, doing our costumes and make-up with all the other dancers. I love working with the principals too; it’s a great insight into life as a ballerina.”

Hani Armstrong, Phoebe’s mother, said: “Phoebe trains three times a week usually, but often much more before a show. It can mean more than 10 hours a week outside of her dancing at school.”

Phoebe and the other youngsters will be performing alongside world-famous dancers.

British ballerina Julianne Rice Oxley, who will be performing as the lead role of Giselle, has been impressed by the work of her young co-stars.

She said: “I feel very privileged to be a principal with the EYB as I get to work with some of the UK’s most talented young dancers. I find them incredibly inspiring.”

The shows take place at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre at 7.30pm tomorrow (Friday) and 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday.