AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Ilkley schoolgirl has been crowned best in the country at ballroom dancing.

Moorfield School pupil, Sophie Bateman, won the trophy for perfecting the waltz in a competition held at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

She is now national champion for her age group - 60 competitors took part from all over the United Kingdom.

Sophie said: "I was very pleased to win as I have only been learning ballroom dancing for one year."