TWINKLE toed Irish dancer Shannon Flanagan has finished in a stunning second place in the Irish Dance World Championships in Dublin.

Every year thousands of dancers descend on the Irish capital for the annual celebration of the iconic dance which is popular the world over and now the Loreto Grammar School A Level has vowed to go one better in next year's championships and work even harder.

Shannon, who finished ninth as an under-15, seventh as an under-16 and now second as an under 17, said: “I want to go one better, which means even more hard work. I train for at least three hours every day, longer at the weekends travelling to Birmingham and Wolverhampton for my practice sessions so I have to admit this prize is as much for mum and dad as it is for me.”

Shannon added: “Irish dance is more of a sport than a pastime and I not only have to practise my technique but develop my leg and core strength and eat like an athlete. My dad Mark is Irish and I am proud of my Irish heritage just as I am proud of English heritage from my mum Catherine.”

Her next big competition will be in North America later this year and then the all Irish and and all Scottish championships which are considered majors on the global circuit.

Shannon added: “I know there are many more opportunities to be a professional dancer now than ever before but I really want to study accountancy and dance as a sideline.”

Jane Beever Headteacher at Loreto Grammar School said: “This is a fabulous achievement for Shannon and her family. Watching Shannon dance is enthralling; it looks effortless but is anything but easy.”