Diana Dicker, of Bishopsteignton, writes:

I have enjoyed your coverage of the success of Dunsford-based dancer Bethany Rose Harrison in the BBC's So You Think You Can Dance.

I particularly appreciate Newton Abbot dance teacher Deborah Bond's comment on the commitment of parental support of dance students. Behind every successful dancer is a tirelessly devoted family dedicating years of time, energy, driving and money (lots of money) to dance training.

The south west produces great dancers including Royal Ballet principal Lauren Cuthbertson from Torbay. Three of the 16 finalists in the TV show are from Devon. In Teignbridge we are exceptionally fortunate to have The Helen Foundation that helps fund talented local youngsters. A big thanks to the Kirk family and THF supporters.

According to Dance UK, in 2009/10 dance attendance increased by 103 per cent. In business this would be the trigger for investment. But the Arts Council England hasrecently cut the funding to dance organisations by 20.8 per cent with companies such as Henri Oguike, at the core of GCSE Dance in recent years, and Ballet Black, on stage at the Northcott, losing all funding. Dance should be at the heart of mainstream education from the earliest years yet government funding is being channelled towards science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Meanwhile, congratulations and good luck to Bethany Harrison and our talented local dancers.

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