A 71-year-old woman has become the oldest ballerina in Britain to pass the Royal Academy of Dance’s Grade 6 exam, joining classes in later life being unable to afford them as a child.

Doreen Pechey, who had knee replacement surgery two years ago, has now become an affiliate member of the RAD after impressing examiners.

Mrs Pechey, a semi-retired electrical engineer, began taking classes ten years ago, originally starting in adult lessons before finding a private teacher just three months her junior.

She declared herself “really pleased” at passing her Grade 6 exam, adding: “I was surprised when I was told I was oldest to ever get that far in the exams."

She said it was the "third best event of my life", after marrying her husband and passing her engineering degree.