PUPILS from a Helensburgh dance school have returned home with a bumper haul of trophies after competing at the Scotdance Canada competition in Calgary.

Eilidh Gammons led the way among the group of nine Burgh dancers from the Margaret Rose School of Dance after she won gold in all 11 of the categories in which she competed.

The 10-year-old won the prize for the dancer with the most points over the whole event, after competing against 1,100 people in the course of five days.

Eilidh was also awarded two special titles, the Irene Baird Best Overseas Dancer Trophy and the Alex and May Martin Trophy, which are awarded annually and must be returned next year.

She told the Advertiser: “It was really good, I’m really proud. I don’t really get nervous dancing in front of people because I am quite used to it.”

The dedicated dancer also performed in Corby at the weekend, scooping four gold medals and being crowned the All England champion for the under 11 category.

And Eilidh is set to return to Canada with other girls from Margaret Rose School of Dance this week to perform at the Cambridge Highland Games.

Afterwards, she will travel to America for the USIR Championship for the first time.

“We are going to America, so I am really excited about that because I have never been before,” she added.

Speaking about Eilidh’s trophy haul from Canada, her mum Lynn Hendry said: “I’m absolutely delighted, she has done amazingly well. She’s quite a wee star.

“She took all the firsts and danced her wee heart out bringing back lots of trophies.

Dance teacher Margaret MacInnes said: “Eilidh couldn’t have done any better than she did. It was absolutely amazing.

“It was a bigger event than the Cowal championship, and that’s got 700 or 800 competitors, so to win 11 prizes is amazing.”

Margaret went on to explain that the group had to carry on some of Eilidh’s prizes on to the plane as hand luggage to avoid breaking them, as two of the trophies must be returned next year at the annual competition.

Girls from Margaret Rose School of Dance have come back with a number of medals after a successful weekend at the Scotdance Canada Championship.

Nine pupils, including Eilidh Gammons competed in the annual competition, with many bringing medals home.

Georgia Dennet, eight, won a gold and six bronze medals, Lily Dennet, 10, won three bronze medals and Anna Rose King, 10, won four bronze medals. Isla Flint won a silver and two bronze medals, one being 4th place in the Canadian Championship.

Eilidh Gammons’ older sister Catriona, 15, won a silver and four bronze medals.

She came second runner up in the premiership competition earning her a beautiful necklace.

Chloe Pearce, 16, won a silver medal and two bronze and Grace Charlton, 16, won a silver medal and five bronze.

Margaret said: “The girls worked hard and deserve the success.

“The Margaret Rose dancers are a huge success where ever they go and I am extremely proud of them.”

During a well deserved break, the girls got the chance to do the Highland Fling at the top of the Calgary Tower and enjoyed watching the Calgary Stampede.

Margaret added: “We would love to get a sponsor to help the girls with their travels as they are putting Helensburgh and Argyll and Bute on the map.”

To find out more about sponsoring the school contact Margaret on 07711 398462.