Manx girl Martha Griffiths danced her way to a fantastic second place in the under-14 category of an international dance competition.

And a second girl from the island came seventh in the under-12 category.

Martha’s dance teachers Katherine Ash and Amy Carr of the Manx Trinity Academy of Irish Dance said they were ’amazed’ that their dancers and the island had been so brilliantly represented at the World and International Championships Eindhoven.

To qualify for Eindhoven, Martha had to compete at both the British and German opens.

Katherine said: ’The island hasn’t had anyone recalled to dance again before so to have so many and for them to finish so highly is just amazing.’

The school also had two 11th placed finishes in different age groups.

Meanwhile the father of an 11-year-old girl from Douglas has spoken of his pride at her finishing seventh in the world championship.

Summer Curphey travelled to Eindhoven to compete in the competiton. Her ability to learn as she goes was vital to her success.

Her dad Paul said the under-12 category began with 28 dancers, which was narrowed down to 14 the next day.

Those 14 had to perform a modern Irish dance set which he said Summer was ’up into the night learning’.

Summer began dancing about three years ago at a dance school in Onchan before switching to the The Lawless Academy of Irish Dancing, led by six times world champion in river dance Ricky Lawless.

Her dedication to dancing sees her work hard on her fitness and she eats very healthily. He added: ’We are a sporty family but she works so hard and doesn’t eat junk food or anything such as McDonald’s which is great to see as a parent, I’m really proud of her achievements.’