A HELENSBURGH dance school preparing to mark 50 years in town recently proved their winning ways - on the other side of the world.

The Margaret Rose School of Dance headed to Hawaii to compete in the Hawaiian Scottish Festival and Highland Games in Waikiki as well as taking part in local Tartan Day celebrations.

Margaret MacInnes organised the competition from Helensburgh before heading out to join her pupils, including granddaughter Ava.

She told the Advertiser: "We had amazing success in Hawaii, winning the group choreography.

"The solo choreography was won by Helen Nicolson and she also won the special sailors hornpipe trophy.

Helensburgh Advertiser: Margaret MacInnes with granddaughter Ava Lily King

"Ava Lily King won the Highland trophy, national trophy and special fling trophy.

"Poppy Murray won the Highland trophy, Evelyn Taylor won the special fling trophy and the national trophy, and Emma Bancks won the Highland trophy and national trophy - almost a clean sweep.

"I am pleased to be organising this event next year, so we are working hard with our fund-raising.

"I always like to take a child who has never had a passport before, so they have a trip to remember."

Tickets for the June 10 celebration of 50 years of the Margaret Rose School of Dance at the Victoria Halls are selling fast at The Scandinavian Shop in Sinclair Street.

There will be a civic reception for the school that evening.

Helensburgh Advertiser: Margaret Rose School of Dance pupils in Hawaii

Speaking about Hawaii, Poppy, nine, told our sister paper the Greenock Telegraph: "I was very nervous about it but it got easier once we had flown out.

“We did our normal Highland dancing as well as our solo dances and choreographies and it went really well.

“We went to Pearl Harbour and I loved it and we also got to go out canoeing as well, which was amazing.

“It was really good fun, I had a great time.”