A NIMBLE-footed school girl has returned triumphant from America after hot-stepping her way through a global dancing competition.

Amy Prior, 12, of Wansfords Road, Woodford Green, is now ranked as one of the best Irish dancers in the world after making her way through the heats of the official World Championships.

The school girl, who has danced all her life and been trained by her cousin at the Henningan O' Loughline School of Irish Dancing, qualified for the championships in Philadelphia in October and is now ranked 36th out of an original 150.

Amy's mum Julie Prior, who was happy to be released from hair wrapping duties the night before the competition as dancers can now wear curly wigs with their traditional costumes, said she was thrilled by her daughter's achievement.

She added: "This year was the first year that it wasn't held in Ireland or Scotland so it was great to get a chance to go to the States.

"I have two other daughters who also dance and we have numerous medals and trophies between the three of them.

"It's a very busy and noisey house but at least I always know where they are.

"I am really proud of all of them and to watch Amy dancing in the competition was amazing."