WESTBURY’S answer to Billy Elliot recently played a lead role in The Owl and The Pussycat.

Luke Walker, 27, starred as the owl in the production at the Egg Theatre in Bath on November 5 and 6 to the delight of his mum, Theresa.

The 64-year-old said: “This was my first ever time watching Luke dance and it was great, I was so proud of him.

“He performs in London quit a lot and sometimes abroad so it was a rare chance for me to see him locally.

“As soon as he said he was performing in Bath I called the theatre’s ticket office and snapped up one the last two remaining seats for myself and my sister.

“He was worked very hard to get to where he is today so it was fantastic being able to watch him.”

Mr Walker won a scholarship to Swindon Dance Academy in 2005 when he was at Matravers School at the age of 17.

He fought off stiff competition to become one of 25 pupils across the county to be selected for the academy, which ran after-school courses for gifted young dancers at the time.

Following this he studied at the Central School of Ballet and has travelled with the Russian Imperial Ballet to Australia and New Zealand.

He started dancing when he took Dance as an A-level subject and his natural talent was quickly spotted by teacher Beth Brewer.