Val in the running for Best of Hartlepool Award

Val Armstrong runs Val Armstrong School of Performing Arts, which has seen rising stars go on to have successful careers in the entertainment industry.

She said: “I am truly honoured to be nominated.

“I am very proud to say that I am from Hartlepool and have had the privilege of working as a choreographer and teacher with some of the most inspiration people within the industry.”

The school, which is co-run by her daughter Hollie Sorelle, raises money or charities including, Miles for Men, Zoe’s Place, and Hartlepool Hospice.

Many of its students go on to have successful careers in the industry, with a total of nine taking part in the West End show Billy Elliot.

She added: “It is a true blessing to be able to say that I have been teaching in the industry I love for 34 years.”

Overall the school has seen a record-breaking 201 championship finalists including 10 different tap champions and holding 16 different tap titles.

Along with their championship finalists the school has also had a record number of children competing in local competitions and also in the Miss Dance and Master Dance heats with one of our students winning a recent heat.

Val added: “We believe in filling our children with passion and belief not only in dance but also in supporting local charities and charities close to the heart of the Val Armstrong School of Performing Arts, the Students and families of the school.”

This year, the Best of Hartlepool competition is being held in association with Niramax and in which Specsavers, Stagecoach North East and Hart Biologicals are category sponsors. We are delighted to have every one of them behind us.

The deadline to put forward entries is Saturday, April 2.

So all we need now is plenty of people to come forward. To nominate send your name, address and telephone number, the name of the business or person you wish to nominate, along with their address, telephone number and email (if known).

State which category your nomination applies to (from the list of categories) and provide a description of the reasons for your nomination (no more than 300 words)

l Post your nomination to: Nicola Meldrum, Alexander House, Second Floor, Rainton Bridge Business Park, Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland. DH4 5RA alternatively email [email protected] or [email protected].