A DANCE teacher who runs sessions in Horsforth, Rawdon and Pool in Wharfedale has won an award for being positive and inspiring.

Julia Grantham, who runs diddi dance in North and Central Leeds, won the diddi dude award at the company's event for more than 40 franchisees.

She said: "I was delighted and genuinely surprised to take home this award. Everyone within our franchise is supportive and inspiring, it is part of our success as a company and so to have been voted the winner was a true honour."

Julia, formerly a stay-at-home mum has been teaching classes for nearly two years, inspiring tots to get on their feet and experiment with dance. She has expanded her classes from three to 11 and has also managed to secure contracts with schools, nurseries and primary schools.

Company founder and director Anne-Marie Martin said: "I can see why Julia was voted by her fellow franchisees for this award. Julia is one of the most positive and encouraging franchisees you can meet. She takes everything in her stride and doesn’t dwell on the negatives."

The company will be launching classes in Guiseley in September with a different teacher at 10am on Wednesdays at TumbleTown Adventure Play. Visit www.diddidance.com for more information.