DOMINIC LAKE had wanted to dance from the age of four - but mum Loretta feared that would end up with him being bullied.

So she encouraged him to follow in the footsteps of brothers Nathan, now 26, and Ryan, now 22, by playing football.

But the Newport lad, now 18, was determined to follow his dream. So seven years ago, his mum relented and sent him to Vanessa Clark School of Dance where he learnt ballet, tap, modern, jazz and contemporary dance.

Since then his talent has flourished and he has performed in many local shows including the annual Dolman Theatre Pantomime, alongside celebrities including Brian Hibbard, for the past five years.

And his mum, 51, is his biggest supporter, working two jobs to help him get to and from a dance school in Bristol.

Now, Dominic has won a fully paid scholarship to a prestigious London dance school.

He starts a three-year performing arts diploma course at the Urdang Academy of Performing Arts in September, which would cost paying students £13,000-a-year in fees.

His achievement is even more impressive given that the former St Joseph’s High School pupil only started dancing when he was 11.

In 2009 the Lliswerry teenager won a paid scholarship to Bristol’s Filton College where he has just completed a two-year dance diploma.

Mrs Lake, who worked two jobs totalling 45 hours a week at ASDA and St Patrick's Social Club to pay for her son’s £100 a week train fare to Bristol, said: “I am really, really proud of him. He’s been totally dedicated to it and he is adamant that he wants this.”

Mr Lake paid tribute to Vanessa Clarke for turning him from a “shy young boy into the dancer I am today”, and his mum for the sacrifices she has made to help him fulfil his dreams.

His family are now holding a race night fundraiser at St Patrick's Social Club, Lliswerry, on August 5 to help pay for his £9,000-a-year living costs.

The event is from 7pm and entry is £1.50 on the door.