A DANCER from Drumchapel has secured a place in the finals of Strictly Kids 2019 after beating off competition from more than 300 others.

Ten-year-old Mirren McDonald was partnered with Cole after qualifying, and the pair will be dancing together at Glasgow’s Doubletree Hilton Hotel in May.

The competition run by BlueStar Productions raises money in aid of the STV Children’s Appeal and Mirren has been working hard towards her contribution by setting up a GoFundMe page and organising bonus balls.

Dance coach Linda is working with Mirren and Cole to prepare them for their jive performance in front of the judges and an audience of around 700.

Read more: Strictly kids take to the dancefloor for fundraiser

Mirren only took up dancing as a hobby three years ago and is loving the rehearsals and learning a new style of dance. She currently attends April’s Street Feet dance school in Dalmuir where she does hip-hop, commercial, lyrical and freestyle.

Caroline McDonald, Mirren’s mum, said: “We’re all really excited for her as not only does she love dancing, she loves being able to help others and by participating in this event she is able to do both.

“She was really nervous about her audition and was really excited when she found out that she had got through to the final.”

While working hard for the Strictly Kids final, Mirren has also qualified for the UDO World Championships, which will be held in Blackpool in August and is expected to attract competitors from around the globe.

And, at her first freestyle competition recently, Mirren grabbed first place for her fast and slow routines.