Aspiring ballerinas had a challenging lesson when a prestigious Russian ballet dancer visited South Oxhey.

Despite the lesson being taught in Russian, the girls were able to carefully follow their esteemed teacher.

Gypsy Booth, who runs the Gypsy Booth Dance School at The Centre, arranged the visit from Svetlana Adyrkhaeva, a former principal dancer for the Bolshoi Ballet.

On Saturday, junior pupils worked hard to keep up and on Sunday, senior pupils, up to the age of around 18, had a four-hour lesson.

Gypsy, who teaches the Russian system of ballet, said: “It is an absolute honour to have her come and teach my pupils.

“The Bolshoi Ballet is one of the best in the world so this is a great opportunity for them.

“The girls have responded so well, they have worked hard and learnt an awful lot.

“Svetlana is so well thought of in the ballet world that dancers usually travel to her for lessons.

“It’s also very reassuring for me and the teachers because, despite being in another country, we’re teaching the Russian system well.”

Svetlana, who travelled the world with the ballet group, stopped dancing professionally in 1988 and became a teacher.

Her week-long trip to England, which included other sessions in London, was her first since becoming a teacher.

Through a translator she said: “The students are trying really hard, so it’s great to see them following me. They are very skilled and taking ballet seriously here.

“They are in very good condition and some could make professional dancers.”

Gypsy added that following the visit she has been inspired to start arranging exchange trips for the pupils to help them reach their potential.

Jacquie Fraser, 17, from South Oxhey, who attends Rickmansworth School, said: “Even though Svetlana was speaking in Russian, we could kind of understand her gestures and instructions, and just watched her movement.

“It was a really nice change from normal lessons and a really exciting opportunity. After a six-week break over the summer it was quite challenging.”

The girls, who will be putting this lesson on their dancing CVs, train up to seven days a week during term time.

Natalie Carter, 16, from Watford, who attends Watford Grammar School for Girls, said: “I want to be a professional ballerina, so it was great to have a lesson like this, it will help me to know what to expect and what I can achieve.

“I just love ballet, it’s so much better than being in school.”