IT took months of fundraising but for the children of the Jeanette McCulloch School of Dance it was worth it as they enjoyed record-breaking success during a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

The school travelled to Disneyland, in Paris, with 42 dancers who took part in the prestigious International Festival of Dance and Performing Arts.

The students were between the ages of six and 20 and came home with an incredible 19 awards. They saw off global competition to win the most prizes of any competing school in the event's history.

The astonishing success saw the school pick up eight first-place wins, seven second-placed finishes and a third-place.

In addition, Ellie Burke, 12 won the Junior Solo Dancer award while Nakita Argomandkhah took Senior Solo Singer. Meanwhile, Maddie Smiles, 11 and Emily Dixon, 11 also won the Junior Duet Dancers category.

“They all had the time of their lives,” said Suzanne Jones, daughter of school founder Jeanette.

“All of the efforts have been worthwhile. It was quite expensive to go and for some of them it has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We did fundraising for the trip and raised £100 per dancer.

“It’s been a hugely successful trip. Most of the children come from Rainhill but we do have a large catchment. It’s been a hugely successful trip.”

And the children had the time of their lives.

“It was amazing and a really good experience. We got a lot of wins and it was a fantastic experience,” said 17-year-old Nakita, winner of the senior solo singer award.

“I really enjoyed the experience and the atmosphere was amazing,” added Ellie, who took the junior solo dancer award.

“It was an honour to represent Jeanette McCulloch and to be given the opportunity to perform a solo in such an amazing place.

“To come away with a first place against other countries was a dream come true and I will never forget the experience. Thank you to all involved.”