Independent Ballet Wales, which is based in Newport, has been given a prestigious national award at a ceremony at Sadlers Wells.

As joint winners of The National Dance Critics Circle Audience Award the company's artistic director Darius James received a presentation from stage and screen star Lionel Blair.The judges' panel was made up of journalists who see and review dance companies on a daily basis.

Newport West AM Rosemary Butler who's also chair of the National Assembly's Culture Committee said she was delighted that Independent Ballet Wales had been honoured in this way.

"The company works very hard all year to bring high class ballet to audiences who can't always afford to see the work of other companies.

"They visit about seventy venues every year throughout the UK and bring an enormous amount of pleasure to people through their performances and their workshops.

"I'm thrilled that they have received this recognition from a body which has such exacting standards."

Thursday,  February 15