A 16-YEAR-OLD dancer with scoliosis has taken home three awards for her Morris Dancing, despite preparing for an operation in December to repair her twisted spine.

Angel Siddley, from Newton-le-Willows, was diagnosed with the condition 18 months ago after her mum Mary, saw something “wasn’t right”.

At the time her spine was out of place at a 50 degree angle – which has since worsened.

After the diagnosis, the talented dancer, who has taken part in Morris dancing since the age of nine, became anxious and quit dancing for a year – but through the love of her team she rejoined and the Hope Academy pupil took home three awards at a recent dance championships.

Her mum Mary Thompson, 40, said: “She tried to wear a brace but it was just really uncomfortable for her so she has decided to go ahead with the operation.

“This does mean that she will have to relearn how to walk and it may affect her dancing – but hopefully it won’t.

“Her confidence has been really shaken by all of this and she has even had a panic attack in Primark because she feels everyone is looking at her.

“She quit dancing because of it but she went back for the beginning of this season and for her to walk away with three awards just made me so proud considering all she has gone through.

“The dancing has massively helped her confidence – hopefully after her operation next month she will be back doing it.”

Angel won three awards including Junior Champions Leader at the L.M.D.O Morris Dancing Championships in Prestatyn, and her team, Nemesis Morris Dancing troupe, took home 16 awards in total.

Her teacher Katherine O’Neill added: “Angel is our little ballerina and it’s amazing how well she’s done considering the unbelievable things she has gone through.

“The whole team have done extremely well and I’m very proud of all of them.”

The team trains at St Patrick’s Social Club in Newton-le-Willows.