Back in November 1967, a new Tamworth mum set up her own dancing school, needing a part time job after the birth of her daughter.

Fifty years on and Katie Shelton has proved she is still the dancing queen as she prepares to celebrate her amazing achievement at The Belgrave Studio of Dance with two special concerts.

Looking back on her years teaching twinkle-toed Tamworth youngsters, Katie, who also recently celebrated her 70 birthday, recalled: “There are lots of things that stick out to me when I look back.

Katie and her dancers at the United Teachers of Dance championships 2017

“One of my proudest moments has to be reaching the finals of the British Championships in Blackpool five years ago.

“We had two girls; one in the junior song and dance category and one in the senior ballet section and they got to the final six in the country.

“What also pleases me is that often girls come here as a hobby and quite often they have gone on to open up their own dance schools or gone on to the stage.

Celebrity Jennifer Ellison meets the girls

“We are helping them to grow up and giving them confidence.

“We take youngsters from the age of 3 onwards and some have been here for 35 years.”

At the end of November 1967, Katie held her very first dance lesson, aged 20, in the former Belgrave chapel.

Then she had just five pupils on the books, and a space in the corner for Jane’s pram.

As the class grew, mums of budding dancers would look after her young child Jane while Katie taught their daughters.

Dance students including Katie’s daughter Jane (far right) meet Dame Edna Everages on her world tour

Belgrave Club soon became the class’ new home, then a hall in Wilnecote and then they returned to Belgrave.

Katie now has her own studio at Kettlebrook Park with sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

“When I married and had my first baby I needed a part time job,” said Katie, explaining how she first got into starting the dance school.

The Coventry Festival in 1975

“Back then we didn’t have nursery care so it needed to be somewhere where I could take Jane and we were going to move to Belgrave anyway so I decided to set up the school.

“I still really enjoy it and I would like to continue doing it for as long as possible. Just last Sunday we were at the United Teachers of Dance scholarships which went really well for us.”

How the class looked in 1984

Katie will be celebrating the achievement with two special concerts next month on December 2 and 3. The December 3 show is already sold out and minimal tickets are left for the December 2 7.30pm show, taking place at Two Rivers School.

Tickets are priced at £10 for adults and £9.50 for children.

To order call Katie on 01827 289974.