Barbara's still dancing queen! Gran, in her 70s, teaches ballet lessons.

Byline: KATIE GRANT

SHE'S in her 70s but can still cartwheel.

And after 50 years since she graduated as a dance teacher, Barbara Peters has no intention of hanging up her dancing shoes just yet.

Her dance school on Market Walk is still a big name in dance and attracts young girls who dream of being the next big thing.

The grandmother-of-nine is set to start a branch of the popular school in a branch of Halifax's Babyballet studios in September this year.

Barbara. of Halifax, said: "As long as I've still got my health and my mobility it's a shame to stop.

"You can carry on as long as you've got the enthusiasm for it.

"Of course, I couldn't have done it all without the help of Candy Wilman, my main assistant - she's been my right hand man for 19 years."

Barbara, who used to live in Marsh, has always has the determination and enthusiasm to succeed in dance.

Born and raised in Huddersfield, she won a place at the Royal Academy of Dancing in London to study to be a teacher of ballet and classical dancing.

The Greenhead High School pupil couldn't afford the fees so she worked as a bus conductor in town and danced at Huddersfield's Theatre Royal to raise the cash.

After graduating in 1959, Barbara honed her teaching skills working at The Hammond School in Chester.

She then moved to Turin, Italy, to help familiarise teachers there with the Royal Academy's Children's Syllabus.

Barbara became an examiner for the Royal Academy and at 25 was the youngest ever person at the time to qualify.

In 1965 she took the big step of founding her own dancing school back in her home town of Huddersfield.

And the rest is history.

The Barbara Peters School of Dancing, formerly The Hudson School of dancing, is a well-known brand in the town.

And more than 100 pupils still turn up for lessons at the original studios on Market Walk.

Barbara, oversees the business and still teaches ballet lessons.

In 2004, Razz theatre school was opened due to demand for drama and singing as well as dance.

On November 15 pupils will come together for a celebration of 50 years of dance at the Lawrence Batley Theatre.

Meanwhile Barbara is helping her daughter Claire O'Connor as a consultant for her Babyballet Song and Dance Academy based in Halifax.

Barbara said she thinks dancing has changed a lot through the years.

She said: "When children used to dance they were very committed and that was their one hobby so they were able to achieve quite a high standard.

"Now a lot of children tend to have a number of hobbies at one time and their achievement levels are lower.

"Of course, you still get a few children who have dancing as their favourite hobby and they do very well."

CAPTION(S):

* LET'S DANCE!: Barbara Peters celebrates 50 years for her dance academy with Eva Rodgers, Rachel Hudson, Gaia Hinchliffe and Lindsay Folan (PW110709Fpeters-01)