Former Trowbridge pupil Maximilian Gardner is dancing on a nationwide tour with a renowned company.

Maximilian, who attended St Augustine’s Catholic College, is appearing in 14 towns and cities with the Ballet Central 2014 show, which mixes ballet with jazz and contemporary dance.

Maximilian, 18, is particularly excited about performing close to his home when he dances at The Merlin Theatre in Frome on June 5.

He is in his third and final year of training to be a professional dancer at Central School of Ballet in London, and began his training in Chippenham.

From the age of eight to 16 he went to the Classical Ballet Centre, which meets at The Cause in Chippenham, through the week, and travelled to London for extra classes on Saturdays.

He said: “I started doing ballet when I was five or six.

“I saw my older sister dancing and said that I wanted to do that.

“The opening night of the Ballet Central tour was the culmination of all the classes and rehearsals. It was great to finally perform what we had been working for so long and so hard towards.”

The show has a varied repertoire featuring both newly commissioned works and much-loved revivals, and features 20 performances across a four-month period.

William Glassman, artistic director of Ballet Central, said: “Each year we bring a programme featuring works by some of the UK’s most highly acclaimed established choreographers and talented young choreographers to local theatres. It’s a chance to see electrifying new works and time-honoured favourites performed regionally.”

Tickets at www. merlintheatre.co.uk