An Irish dancer from Brierley Hill has retained her British Open Champion title.

18-year-old Kate Calvert was crowned the U18 British Open Champion for the second consecutive year.

Calvert, who has been dancing at the Katie Collins School of Irish Dance in Kinver for more than a decade, first won the prestigious title last year and managed to defend it at a recent event in Haywards Heath.

Alongside her British Open victories, Kate has also claimed the All Ireland Championships title and is currently ranked fourth in the world.

The dance school, which holds sessions at St Peter's Church Hall three times a week, also celebrated the triumph of U11 dancer Dulcie Concannon from Kidderminster, who won the British Championship for her age group.

Seven more dancers from the school have qualified for the world championships in April, as the school prepares to mark its 20th anniversary in February.