THE elite of Britain were no match for one Neilston dancer when she crowned champion in Wales last month. The creak of freestyle dancers from across the UK converged on the seaside town of Phwelli to compete in the Eltie Freestyle Championships.

But 10-year-old Ellie Wilson proved that she has the measure of the competition as she graded first in both her dances and walked away with two trophies and two proud dance teachers.

Ellie, a pupil at St Thomas' Primary on Neilston's Kingston Road spoke to our reporter as she prepared to take on her next challenge at the World Freestyle Championships in Blackpool at the end of last month.

She said: "It was really exciting to be competing in the championships, I want to just keep dancing and getting better because I love it.

"I enjoy my dancing and I would dream of becoming a star one day and taking part in even bigger competitions." Ellie danced twice for judges at the recreational centre in Phwelli after making the 330 mile trip to north west Wales.

Facing up to her competitors in the Under 10s category, she saw of dozens of other competitors to come out top.

Ellie attend both Gillian Anderson dance school in Barrhead and the Lynne Anderson Dance School in Neilston, and revealed it was her dedicated teachers who gave her the confidence to take part in the championships.

She said: "My teachers have been really supportive of me and they gave me the confidence to go down and compete in the championships.

"It was a really good experience to compete and I'm already looking forwards to the next competition." Freestyle Dance is a form of dancing that has flourished under the mainstream and has came to prominence in recent years because of it's fast pace and modern take on classic styles such as disco and latin disciplines.

Girls take to the floor in extravagant outfits and routines can involve everything from elegant flips to seemingly impossible splits.

NEILSTON Development Trust are seeking the views of village residents on the future of the town charter.

Feedback is being sought on charter themes and they will be ranked by the number of votes assigned to each theme.

This will establish what village residents prioritise as far as future developments are concerned.

The survey form is available online and in the village library and various outlets including the station and The Bank.

A deadline has been set for the return of the form to The Bank on August 30.

Visit www.neilstontrust.co.uk/news for more information.

A BIPOLAR disorder group has extended a welcoming hand to Neilston residents.

The disorder is becoming one of the most diagnosed mental illnesses in Scotland, and now affected residents have a helping hand.

Self help groups are open to anyone affected by bipolar disorder and take place in Eastwood Leisure Park.

There is no need for a GP referral and meetings give residents an opportunity to discuss any bipolar disorder issues. Groups will sometimes have a guest speaker on relevant topics.

Events are held on the fourth Wednesday of every month between 6.30pm and 8pm.