A YOUNG ballet dancer's years of rehearsals and auditions may not have been a fairytale.

But this month Kathryn Barnfield, 17, will get her happy ending when she performs in Sleeping Beauty for up to 4,500 people.

This week her mum, Marie, said her part in the production was the result of 14 years of practice.

"When she was young Kathryn had this thing where the only thing that would keep her attention on television was dancing," she said.

"She started going to lessons when she was three."

Four months ago Kathryn, of High Legh, was chosen from more than 250 young people to perform for the English Youth Ballet at the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool.

Marie went along to support her daughter, but found it difficult to tell how she was doing.

"They were split into groups and there were about 120 on the stage," she said.

"It was a bit difficult to see her in the middle of it all."

The Kate Simmons Dance School student made it through the auditions and since May has been rehearsing.

An 11-day practice session finished last week and Marie is confident the large crowds will not affect Kathryn during the real thing.

"She gets just about the right amount of nerves," she said.

The production of Sleeping Beauty will include more than 100 young dancers, as well as adult dancers who have starred in London's West End.

During the June 20 and 21 shows Kathryn will perform alongside Kasper Cornish, who was made famous by the Channel Four series Faking It last year.

On the programme the London dancer was transformed into a wrestler and took on American NWA champion Gary Steele.

For ticket information call the Royal Court Theatre box office on 0151 709 4321.