A pensioner has described her joy at becoming Britain's oldest ballerina after finally passing her Grade 6 exam at age 71.

Doreen Pechey has accomplished her lifelong dream after her family was unable to afford classes when she was a child.

She took up dance classes ten years ago and passed the milestone exam despite having undergone knee replacement surgery only three years earlier.

Ms Pechey said she feels she has finally "arrived" in the dance world as she is now eligible to become an affiliate member of the Royal Academy of Dance.