A family of dancers

The women in the Watson family are all crazy about ballet. These days, Alice Watson gives ballet lessons, but for many years, she was a dancer with the National Ballet Company. Her mother, Hannah, also had a full-time job them, making costumes for the dancers.

Alice's daughter Demi started learning ballet as soon as she could walk. 'I never taught her,' says Alice, 'because she never let me.' Now aged sixteen, Demi is a member of the ballet company where her mother was the star dancer for many years.

Alice's husband, Jack, is an electrician. They met while he was working at a theatre where she was dancing and got married soon after. 'When Demi started dancing, the house was too small for her and Alice to practise in so I made the garage into a dance studio. Now the living room is nice and quiet when I'm watching television!' he says.

Last month, Demi was invited to dance in the ballet Swan Lake. Of course, Alice and Hannah were in the audience and even Jack was them, which made it very special for Demi. Jack says, 'I'm not that interested in ballet myself but it's fantastic seeing Demi taking her first steps with Alice's old company!' Demi was wearing a dress that Hannah made for Alice many years before.

'It was very exciting for all of us,' says Hannah. 'Demi's way of dancing is very like Alice's. I know I'm her grandmother, but I think she has a great future!'