A hospital children’s ward was turned into a ballet studio to give young patients a surprise performance.

Dancers from the English Youth Ballet (EYB) visited the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) to give a sneak preview of upcoming production, Giselle.

The children were entertained by two of the show’s leads, who demonstrated warm-up exercises and a segment of the ballet piece.

EYB company manager Ben Garner said: "We turned the school room of the children’s ward into a ballet studio and a theatre.

"It is so rewarding for our principal dancers to see the happy faces of the youngsters watching them so close up."

One young fan who particularly enjoyed the session was three-year-old Tess Hammersley.

Mum Kathleen Hammersley, from Petts Wood, said: “Tess loves to dance and it was clear to see that she was very excited by today’s performance – it has really perked her up”. 

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Principal dancers, Amy Drew and Richard Read, with ballet mistress, Julianne Rice-Oxley, and patient, Tess Hammersley

Sian Spencer Little, play specialist at the PRUH, who helped organise the visit, added: "The visit brought such joy to the children and their families and we feel privileged to have been part of this experience.

"It has cheered up the children while they recover in hospital and enabled them to take away positive and happy memories of their stay with us”.

A two-day run of Giselle starts at the Churchill Theatre on Friday August 15.