A TEENAGER suffering from chronic fatigue won The Bay Summer of Dance Festival championship in Morecambe.

Idjie Collier, 13, had been unable to perform for a year because of her condition but her soft lyrical modern dance - the first time she had ever competed solo - won over the competition judges.

She has been part of Dance Atikk for seven years and according to principal and dance teacher Lucy Everett is a very hard working and dedicated dancer.

"Idgie has overcome such a lot in the last year," said Ms Everett. "She has slowly worked on building her strength and flexibility so she could return to the Dance Atikk.

"When Idgie retuned to dance class and to her team we had to take it slow. The ideal dance for her to get back on her feet was a solo.

"Idgie still is taking big strides forward in her dance class and handling the chronic fatigue. We take each day as it comes. It just goes to show, never let anything hold you back.

"We are all so very proud of Idgie and so pleased to have her back where she belongs with her dance family.

"Watching her win the championships was amazing. There we all were sat in a row in the theatre and I don't think any of us were dry eyed. It was such an emotional and fantastic achievement.

For the first time four students gained such high marks in their solo dances at the festival that they where then entered into the championships .

Chloes Base, 11, performed a song and dance and took first place in the heat. It was the first time she had performed solo.

Emily Brady, 15, performed a lyrical modern and also took first while Taylor Aplin, 14, performed a contemporary modern taking third place.

"I was over the moon with all my dancers," said Ms Everett. "They have all worked so hard. I'm very proud of the four young dancers who performed their hearts out to gain such high marks."