Dancing stars at Walsall College put on a special performance at two of the nation’s biggest venues.

Students last month performed a short piece inspired by The Nutcracker and choreographed with support from Dance Xchange and New Adventures, to 100 specially invited guests at the Royal Opera House in London.

It took place at an official presentation of a review into cultural education in England, commissioned by Ed Vaizey MP, minister for culture, communications and the creative industries.

In early February, the students performed a longer version of the dance at the Birmingham Hippodrome, for the curtain raiser, before the professional cast from New Adventures performed Matthew Bourne’s adaptation of The Nutcracker.

Walsall College dance lecturer Faye Cox said: “It was an incredible honour for our students to be invited to such a prestigious event.

“They took everything in their stride and staged a professionally delivered performance.

“They are a credit to the College and were excellent ambassadors for the arts at the event.”