AN Irish dancer from Runcorn has qualified for the World Championships in Glasgow.

Kinzey Smith, whoh celebrates her 21st birthday today, hopes it will be third time lucky as she competes against the top 10 per cent of dancers from each continent in her age group.

The event from March 26 to April 1 is expected to attract around 14,500 dancers and teams.

It has been a labour of love for Kinzey, who celebrated her 21st birthday on St Patrick’s Day.

Her mum Anya, from Windmill Hill, said: “She is excited. Competition is very fierce.

“She trains for more than six hours every week and does extra sessions in the run up to big competitions.”

Kinzey, who got engaged this year, works with young children as an apprentice at Brookvale Nursery, attends Rogers Academy of Irish Dancing in Warrington, where dancers Olivia Burns, 10, Abi Rechinger, 13, Abi Shrimpton, 15, and Rebecca Rowlinson, 17, have also qualified.

Kinzey, who attended Windmill Hill Primary School and Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy, started Irish dancing before she was six years old.

The nimble dancer has already competed in two World Championships in Belfast and Dublin.

Anya said: “Kinzey takes is very laid back and takes it all in her stride.

“You need a lot of stamina dancing on your toes for three minutes as your heels are not allowed to touch the floor.

“There is a lot of pressure and impact on your knees when you are stamping with the heavy shoes.”

Kinzey won a grant from the Big Lottery Fund to enable her to compete.

“The costumes have to be handmade and are expensive,” added single mum Anya. “Her new dress cost £1,100. They have to have light and heavy shoes, make up, fake tan and wigs which can cost more than £100.

“Kinzey was diagnosed with celiac disease a few years ago and found it hard to get her gluten-free diet balanced. She has to eat before competitions as she needs loads of energy.

“We are very proud of her, she has won lots of trophies, sashes and medals.”