Mia Linnik Holden and Andrei Toader retain British National Junior Ballroom champion title

Mia Linnik-Holden and Andrei Toader at the World Dance Championships in Paris last year

Middleton dancers Mia Linnik-Holden and Andrei Toader have retained their Junior Ballroom champion title for the second year running after performing at the British Nationals in November.

The duo took first place all round in junior ballroom, performing a waltz, foxtrot, tango and quickstep, and also placed second in junior Latin, performing a cha cha cha, samba, rumba, paso doble and jive.

Mia, who began dancing when she was six after asking her parents for lessons, said: “Thank you to our wonderful coaches, we could not do this without you.

“Thank you to our amazing sponsors, Chrisanne, Pure Class, RayRose, Dance Cos, Ballroom Bling and Misgrace. We can never repay you for your faith in us.

“Thank you to the Blackpool Dance Festival and Empress Orchestra, there is no other feeling like dancing on that floor.

Thank you to Andrei. This is just the beginning, there will always be ups and downs, but whatever happens, we are a team and we stand strong together. Love you and love dancing with you.”

Mia and Andrei also placed second in U16 ballroom at the Dutch Open Dance Championships in Assen earlier this month, despite Mia fainting twice in the final.

Her mum, Maxine Holden, said: “How Mia carried on I will never know, but what a trooper - and what a team they are. We are so proud of you both.”