News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

It's no surprise Amy Cowles' students are stretched to the limit - the university professor has also been crowned Miss Pole Dance UK.

By day the 30-year-old tests her pupils at Keele University in her role as Teaching Fellow on their Forensic Science BSc course.

But at night she hones completely different skills - as a teacher at the British Pole Dance Academy, in Stoke-on-Trent.

And her academic approach to perfecting pole dancing over the last five years have finally paid off - after she was crowned the best semi-professional pole dancer in Britain.

She said: "I don't think I'd recognise myself if I met the person I was five years ago.

"I wanted to do some exercise but something that's fun. I was quite sporty, but then I went off to university and stopped doing most of that kind of stuff.

"I'd tried going to the gym, but I found that quite boring, and then I did some running but found I'd only get so far before I had to stop.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

"Someone I knew had been to the Pole Dancing Academy and I thought I'd give it a go. And I'm glad I did - I've never looked back!

"I was a bit nervous because I'd never done anything like it before.

"I wasn't particularly fit or strong and I was worried I wouldn't be able to do anything and everyone else would be great.

"But it wasn't like that at all. No-one starts off being amazing, you just build it up. And it's such a friendly environment - everyone's really supportive.

"That's what makes it so good - it's like a little family, and you just want to keep going back."

Amy's potential was spotted by academy owner Deb Riley, herself a former British champion, helping her learn routines - such as a three-minute James Bond-themed routine in a short jacket and bow-tie to Live And Let Die.

Now Amy, from Abbey Hulton, in Staffs, has scooped the Semi Pro Instructor category at the Miss Pole Dance UK competition, also picking up the "best tricks" category along the way.

To win her prize, Amy had performed a five minute routine with a gold-digger theme based on Madonna's Material Girl, the element of escapism being a major part of the pole dance appeal.

She explained: "I try to make the costumes myself. I really enjoy it - I buy what I need and then I bling it up.

"I was always quite a girly girl anyway. I love all the outfits, doing my hair and make-up, the eyelashes, the nails, sticking on glitter.

"It's a great excuse to get yourself really done up. The girls at the studio are always helping with my routine and my make-up."

Next month, she goes for the overall professional Miss Pole Dance UK title at a glittering event in Sussex.

She added: "I do get nervous, it wouldn't be normal not to.

"I don't have a grand master plan. I just do it because I enjoy it. Just being up on stage is a massive achievement for me. Whatever else happens is a bonus.

"I'm massively more confident than I used to be. I'm a completely different person, and also I'm in far better shape, and that in itself gives you confidence."

But she is well aware that 'pole dancing' still has a seedy reputation but her £20-an-hour pole dancing classes are packed out.

The Man United fan added: "Most people these days have heard about it.

"But you still get people who kind of want to have a go themselves but are a bit, 'oh, I could never do that, I haven't got the flexibility or the strength'.

"But you don't have to be strong and flexible - you might end up that way, but it's not a necessity when you start.

"Yes, you do get bruises and, especially after the first time, your muscles ache - muscles that you didn't even know were there. But the thing is it's all worth it - you get an amazing buzz.

"People come along for different reasons. Some want to learn the skills, some predominantly because they want to do some exercise that's a bit more exciting.

"Others want that sexy side, which is good because it gets them through the door in the first place.

"It's not exclusive to one or the other. It's different for everyone. We have people from ages 16 to 50s and older, men and women. Pole dancing is getting a lot more popular.

Amy confesses on her Twitter profile to like "pole dancing, stretching, forensic science and cheese (not necessarily in that order!)".

But she admits that one of those might in the past have raised the odd eyebrow, saying: "There were a few people who said 'oh, I didnt know you did that', but mainly it was 'good for you, doing something you like'.

"It's so normal now, I don't even think about it. I'm proud I pole dance and proud to say I pole dance."