An 11-year-old Amblecote boy is celebrating after winning a place at The Royal Ballet School in Surrey.

Ben Brown, who attends Debonair Dance Academy, based at Temple Meadow Primary School in Cradley Heath will take up the boarding school place at White Lodge in Richmond Park, after beating off competition from boys from all over the world.

Proud mum Elaine, of Sandringham Way, said: "He is really, really looking forward to going.

"He is so excited about it.

"It is a beautiful place, which we have looked round twice, and he seems quite excited about boarding.

However the family's excitement is overshadowed by their bid to raise £4,000 to cover Ben's school fees, music lessons, BUPA and physio costs.

As well as providing him with a new uniform and specific ballet shoes estimated to cost around £90.

Elaine said: "We have written to local charities and have contacted the Royal Ballet for help, but if we can't raise the money then we are going to have to sell our house to send him.

"If we can find the money from somewhere just to get funding for this year then we can keep on raising money for the other years."

The Peters Hill primary school pupil is the only boy who attends the Debonair Dance Academy and Mum Elaine praised Principal Debbie Baggott for all her hard work.

Elaine said: "He has done so much with the dance academy, he has danced at Disneyland Paris, The Queen's Theatre London, the Royal Albert Hall and he also got to the final audition for Billy Elliott where he got to the final ten.

"Debbie is very excited for him, its a big accolade for her for one of her students to go to the Royal Ballet. Ben is her little star."

If anyone can help Elaine contact her on 07703 475 173.