A 71-year-old woman has become the oldest ballerina in Britain to pass the Royal Academy of Dance's Grade 6 exam, joining classes in later life being unable to afford them as a child.

Doreen Pechey, who had knee replacement surgery two years ago, has now become an affiliate member of the RAD after impressing examiners.

Mrs Pechey, a semi-retired electrical engineer, began taking classes ten years ago, originally starting in adult lessons before finding a private teacher just three months her junior.