A dance teacher in the region has been celebrating the launch of her new studio in a Tynedale town.

Hannah Finnigan, who first began teaching classes in 2019, has recently opened her new studio in Haltwhistle, and she admitted that she has been able to achieve her dream in less than time than even she imagined.

"I started off with just a couple of classes running in Haltwhistle, Gilsland and Bardon Mill," said Hannah.

"My 10 year plan was to become a success and to be able to open my own studio, which has actually happened in two years, not 10.

"Due to Covid we had to cease face to face classes last March, which hit me like a tonne of bricks.

"Luckily all of my students and their families are the most supportive people I could ask for and as soon as I got myself set up doing zoom classes I had a lot of my students back dancing, albeit virtually."

Hannah has over the last few months been running classes from a number of locations due to the pandemic, however has now been able to find a location she is able to now call her own as she went on to explain.

"In January of this year I made the decision that I needed to find us a permanent venue, somewhere we could have all of my classes plus some new classes," added Hannah.

"I looked at several venues before stumbling upon the one we have now.

"Setting up a brand new dance studio is completely financially draining, so a suggestion from one of my six year old students to run a sponsored walk was taken on board. I set the children (who wished to take part) a goal of 10 miles in one month.

"In total we walked 236miles and raised a whopping £1642!

"This sponsored money has gone towards our ballet barres and our mirrors, as well as a couple of other pieces of equipment for the students to use."